When I was in graduate school, one of my professors was visiting from Eastern Europe. He had an often unexpected way of using English. Once in class he instructed us to turn to a certain page “and be amazed!” I don’t remember what was on that page or if I was amazed, but I loved the instruction and it stayed with me. There is always something new to learn or simply to notice, and it is amazing.
Sometimes I use the instruction on myself. It’s a good reminder to look for and see the miracles that are happening all around me all the time. The sun came up this morning. Be amazed. Water came out of the shower head when I turned the handle. Be amazed. It was hot. Be amazed.
It’s okay to be amazed with ourselves. I made my bed this morning. Be amazed. I’m testing for my black belt in taekwondo this month. Be very amazed.
Even God amazed himself on occasion. Behold, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs forth. Do you not see it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. –Isaiah 43:19. I love this verse. Like a child delighting in a new accomplishment, God was saying, “Look at what I can do. This is cool!” (I’m no Bible scholar, but I like to think that’s what he was saying.)
So let’s go forth today and be amazed, with ourselves and with the world around us. Have an amazing day!
(I am leading a women’s retreat this weekend, so I will be away from my computer until tomorrow night. Your comments are important and I will publish them as soon as I get back. I can’t wait to read them and be amazed!)
Hi Galen,
ReplyDeleteI just got back from a 5 week trip overseas. One of the unanticipated complexities(minor)was figuring out how to get the shower to work in each new place we stayed. And I was often amazed when water actually flowed out of the shower head (hot water was sometimes a bonus). Have a great weekend!
Riley
Being "amazed" so naturally follows being "awake". You almost can't be one without the other. Amazing isn't it? Lovely posts Galen :-)
ReplyDeleteI am amazed at how much I needed to read this today! Seriously...you have no idea. I have been feeling less than amazed with life and yet this post made my mind reflect on all that I had seen just today...a day during which I was feeling blue...but now my mind remembered the beauty around me as I sat on the porch, the laughter I heard, the warmth of the sun on my skin...I missed the actual moment, but the memory amazed me!
ReplyDeleteIt was another amazing day for sure....like 84 and no rain as they had thought would come today....we spent the day out and even saw a movie and it truly was amazing! I hope your retreat was as amazing!
ReplyDeleteWow I am amazed, your black belt... that's fantastic! You are an amazing lady and do amazing things, and yes, I amaze myself from time to time still. :-) I hope you have a fantastic retreat!
ReplyDeleteI am amazed I get to spend 18 days on the incredible island of Maui. The sunsets, the crashing surf, the colors of plants almost too vivid to comprehend, the friendliness of the people, the uniqueness of music sung in a language I don't understand...it is all too amazing, but very real.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice - as always. Today, I will definitely try to be amazed.
ReplyDeleteLet me know about the retreat when you return. I used to lead different kinds of retreats, like scouts, etc., and I am always interested in them. Good for you!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this message. You are right---almost everything in this life is amazing. We just need to remember to stop and notice and give thanks.
ReplyDeletei have never posted a comment here before although i have been reading this for a while. i really get some useful advices here, especially as i'm going through a rough time at the moment. thank you very much for that. i'm amazed!
ReplyDeleteI am amazed to be retired and able to follow whatever suits me. I am even more amazed how hard that is!
ReplyDeleteRiley--Thanks for sharing your travel tales. You can truly appreciate how amazing water in the shower is!
ReplyDeleteJean--I had not made that connection. Thank you!
Gems--I'm so glad if this post brightened your day.
Karen--Thanks. The retreat went very well, although the weather was not quite as amazing as yours!
darlin--Thanks for the vote of confidence about the test. And yes, the retreat did go well, thanks.
Bob--Not very hard to be amazed by a vacation like that!
Kara--Good for you!
JJ--I will email you about the retreat. Thanks.
Clint--It's so easy to forget, isn't it? Thanks for commenting.
Jenny--I'm so very pleased that you commented today. Thank you!
Linda--I'm still new to this retirement life. Any advice?
Thanks to all for commenting!
I love this! I find myself amazed sometimes at the most unexpected things. I haven't been as much lately. I guess I have to do it more consciently.
ReplyDeleteHow cute can foreigners be when they don't speak their own language? That's definitely one of the things that amaze me. When I was living in Prague (or the Prague, as they say down there), I heard a lot of things like that. They always made me smile :)
Hope your women's retreat went well! Being amazed is for me a way to say thank you. I am amazed at many things, how things work and doctors save lives, how the trees change colours and seasons brings new opportunities, I am amazed reading this lovely post today and reflecting about life beauty!
ReplyDeleteThank you Galen Pearl - May we always remain amazed at life as it is, cause it's wonderful.
Let's see I would say you are amazing. I love this post and following your blog.
ReplyDeleteLife is amazing and I do notice the tender mercies of the Lord in my life.
Blessings to you!
I am actually making my blog rounds, Be VERY amazed. ;) I hope all is going well with you there!! This was a beautiful reminder for all of us, oh, and way to go on the black belt, that is quite an accomplishment. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I often am amazed and in awe of all of Creation... how can one NOT be inspired when we are surrounded by such Beauty & new things to delight in daily if we take the time to see, appreciate and be amazed by it all! Great Post!
ReplyDeleteAnd I LOVED your comment on what you imagined God might have said at a new creation... I like to imagine that too... because so much of what He has made... well, all of it in fact... is way cool! *Winks*
Dawn... The Bohemian
Beliza--What a funny example about foreigners! I imagine that you yourself speak several languages. That's amazing!
ReplyDeleteMarie--I copied your last sentence to keep as a lovely prayer. Thank you!
Coupon Queen--I hear that! I've behind on my blog reading, too. So glad you stopped by.
Dawn--I hope God has a sense of humor! I think he does. Thanks for your comment.
I am working on my second masters and there are times when I feel like saying out loud, "ok tell me something new..." However, after reading this blog and then looking at my course reader, I can't help but to smile and say, "I am amazed". The acquisition of knowledge can be just as simple as breathing. We just do it and go through the motions without even thinking about it. ...ironic huh??? However, like mindful breathing.... ahhhh.... so much better.... so invigorating.... I am amazed. I am amazed to learn that what I thought I knew was only the tip of the iceberg and that there was so much more for me to learn. Let us seek the hidden excitements of the mundane so that we can be amazed.
ReplyDeleteGalen,
ReplyDeleteI love that "Be Amazed!" We have so many opportunities. We are so blessed. This is my mantra for the week.
I believe in recognizing the amazing things in ourselves. All the comments you have received on this super post are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteAjen--My tai chi/qigong instructor was just saying the same thing last night. It's so simple. There are not many things more amazing than breathing. It is ironic! Thanks so much for commenting.
ReplyDeleteTess--Great idea! I'll make it my mantra, too! Thanks for your comment.
Cynthia--Yes, the comments are terrific, including yours! Some people are hesitant to think of themselves as amazing. It might seem arrogant. But for me, it is humbling. Thanks for commenting.
Galen,
ReplyDeleteI AM amazed! I love to live in amazement just like a child does.....
In gratitude to your words and I love the way you said that even GOD was amazed!
In love and light,
Nancy
Nancy--Thanks! I'm glad you think God has a sense of humor!
ReplyDeleteVery insightful post. I am always amazed in the fall by the changing colors of the season. Even though it happens every year it is always amazing to me. I hope you have a great week.
ReplyDeleteHi Galen! I love this post! And I love your attitude about life. You right, there is so much to be amazed about! I'm pretty amazed with myself too when I make my bed! haha!
ReplyDeleteFrom nature to the ingenuity of the modern world, to all the amazing things people are doing all over the world to reach out and do good in a world desperately in need of more good. All so amazing, Galen.
Thank you for this reminder!
Amazing, Galen! Stopping by to notice what I notice. I am amazed everyday by how my life has changed so much over the course of a year. Joseph Campbell says religion should be about wonder not worship.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great challenge. It fits right in with my challenge of growing my faith by growing my expectaions. I am so glad I stopped by to "be amazed". I am browsing around reading blogs tonight and several have amazed me.
ReplyDeleteYour words will stay with all who read them and in my case they will spur me on!
Thank you.