Changing Paths challenge day 24 — wondering.

There’s wondering in the sense of asking questions about the nature of things, and then there’s wonder in the sense of amazement.

wonder (n.)

Old English wundor “marvelous thing, miracle, object of astonishment,” from Proto-Germanic *wundran (source also of Old Saxon wundar, Middle Dutch, Dutch wonder, Old High German wuntar, German wunder, Old Norse undr), of unknown origin. In Middle English it also came to mean the emotion associated with such a sight (late 13c.).”

wonder (v.)

Old English wundrian “be astonished,” also “admire; make wonderful, magnify,” from the source of wonder (n.). Cognate with Dutch wonderen, Old High German wuntaron, German wundern. Sense of “entertain some doubt or curiosity” is late 13c.”

— Etymology Online

We see miracles and wonders every day. The sun and the moon rise and set, flowers spring from the earth and open and produce seed. And whole ecosystems dancing and interacting and flourishing. Life even finds a way through cracks in pavement and places you’d never think plants would grow.

I discuss the concept of supernatural miracles in the book and conclude that believing in them is psychologically unhealthy for various reasons.

Much healthier to enjoy the spectacle and wonder of all the beauty of Nature: birds and animals and flowers and trees and stars and sunsets.

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Changing Paths is published by 1000Volt Press and is available from all the usual online stores. Ask your local bookseller or library to stock it!

The goal of the book is to help you decide your own path by guiding you through the perils and pitfalls of the terrain, and asking questions to help you deepen your understanding of the reasons for your desire to change paths.