Saturday, January 25, 2014

Childlike wonder

Our great nephew Jordan celebrated his sixth birthday at the McWane Science Center in Birmingham today.
The McWane Science Center is like a learning museum. They also have rooms where kids can invite their friends and have a birthday parties.
Today when we arrived, the place was buzzing with children.
There was a glass container the size of our bathroom into which a mechanical device had been installed.
The glass walls made it easy to observe golf balls wind their way through the device on their own power.
The journey through the mechanical maze took the balls through tubes, switches, levers, shoots and onto a tiny trampolene.
When they made it to the bottom, a small motorized device would lift the balls to the starting point and the kinetic trek would begin anew.
I snapped this photo through the container and Jordan is standing mesmerized in a state of wonder, trying to figure out how it all works.
It's been a long time since I've experienced that myself.....to see something so engrossing, that I lost all concept of time.
Sometime the state of childlike wonder takes your mind through uncharted territory. It's akin to the emotion of joy.
Standing there today I realized I missed that experience. As we grow older, we pragmatize our brains, and have little time for such childish activities. But I think the world would be a better place, if we viewed it with childlike wonder.
  

17 comments:

  1. This sounds like our Discovery Center... lots of science experiments. Valentina always loves going there ;-)

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    1. These places are great for kids. I know all the ones I saw there yesterday were all having fun and learning first hand.

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  2. Its great ... this modern age ... we have a Science Museum here in Melbourne. I loved going there.

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    1. I'd love to get down to Australia some day.

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  3. That is so true Rick. We do need to revert back to childhood once in awhile. I love the picture of Jordan through the display. Great shot.

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    1. Thanks Barb, I lucked out on this photo :)

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  4. That shot is perfect. No fancy photo techniques needed to enhance the look on his sweet face. It captures the essence of childhood. Maybe we all need a photo like that of ourselves just for a reminder to never lose it. But I think you underestimate your ability to look at life with wonder. I've been reading your blog and I enjoy your outlook on life from your experiences. From the words to the unique pics..I'd say you've still got it!

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    1. Thanks for your kind words Yaya.
      I read where it might reach record lows up in that area. Y'all stay warm.
      R

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  5. I find I still stand in wonder wondering how it all works lol

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  6. I am so glad that you pointed this out today. Yes we do seem to loose the sense of wonder. How ever your own love of nature makes me think that you still admire nature and admiration is a result of wonder.

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  7. Oh yes, the joy and wonder of a child. I still haven't lost that feeling. : ) I hope I never do.

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    1. Hang on for deal life Happyone. That is truly a gift.

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  8. Great picture and wonderful article. Through the eyes of children......Jordan is such a joy to teach. He has a very bright future ahead of him.

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    1. Thanks BB, he is a special child.

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  9. Ah, yes...through the eyes of a child...God bless them all! Happy Birthday, Jordan!

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