I wonder......

                                                         Wonder:
1) Amazed admiration or awe – especially at something very beautiful
2)  Sensation of a  miracle
3)  Excitement of something being outstanding, effective, good and/or unusual
4)  To be curious to know about something
6)  To show astonishment or awe/surprise
 
As I wander around the house this morning, stoking the fire and looking at the snow and watch the amazing Northern Lights display, I wonder…
 
I wonder if we, who believe in what this election season and then the various winter holiday seasons really symbolize, aware of how often the true meaning of the seasons have gotten lost. They have gotten lost; buried somewhere beneath the barrage of endless blaring radio/TV commercials. Every which way but loose, our neuro-sensory system and wallets are bombarded with: “THIS is what how you should vote;” “THIS is what is important and you can’t possibly live without.” All the while you forget about what is truly true, what is really real, what is needed most in this world.
 
I wonder…. can the message that should be shrieking itself to the very forefront and core of our hearts even make its way to our hearts and be heard?
 
 I wonder….will the people who know the message of true peace and hope will be bold enough to carry it on and share?
 
I wonder….what would happen if you and I, as we stand in the checkout line for the umpteenth time, or maybe when we sit next to someone at a sports event or at work, if something we say or do will cause someone to be taken back a moment in amazement. Hearing you, they would have to take a breath, totally in awe that someone actually engaged them in a true conversation. Maybe something like: ‘how is your day going – no, REALLY going!?’ or ‘I sure appreciate your patience and help as everyone is rushing around’ or ‘your smile makes a difference, thanks! ’ Not just ‘have a nice day’ and walk off, but eye to eye, engage them in a conversation that conveys that they are important – that they  truly matter.
 
I wonder if, if only for a brief moment, you would STOP today…just STOP.
 
Gaze at the wonder around you – whether it be the snow, the ice, the rain or sun….STOP and be filled with the wonder……the wonder of the day, the wonder of each breath you can take, the wonder of the people in your life, the wonder of the privileges and freedoms we have…And be thankful for the many traditions from around the world and over the generations it brings.