Cultivate wonder with a beginner's mind

Around 20 years ago I had a glimpse into beginner’s mind at a picnic in a brand-new park in Mesa Arizona edged by sidewalks and filled on one end with colorful brand-new play structures. The fun planned included multiple slides, climbing features, rope bridges, swings & a zip line.

Leading my toddler through the parts of the playground was short-lived. He grew tired of it quickly, preferring to explore the natural world. First by climbing park benches, then attempting to scale the smaller trees and throwing some rocks, he made his way around the playground’s perimeter. Before long, he knelt down, low and still. Keeping an eye on him, while enjoying a near-by swing, still holding the hope of enticing him back, I was confused by my little one’s focus on the ground. Then the wonder and curiosity emanating from my son, down on his hands and knees in the grass, drew me next to him for my own close up view of - the dirt. My first reaction was to attempt to lead him back toward the playground. He was not having it. If you can’t beat them, join them, right? I got down lower and on closer inspection, noticed, he was rapt by the ants. Some were marching purposefully toward their invisible ant work, some wending through blades of grass carrying bits of our picnic… but all were fascinating to him. 

As I allowed myself to take it in this Lilliputian world began to fascinate me as well. Even though I’d seen all these things before, truly being present to them was like seeing them for the first time. Exploring other spots, we spent time with a shiny beetle, a tickly lady bug and a quick daddy long leg, and my senses flooded with wonder. A palpable wonder at all this life carrying on beneath the surface distractions. 

Spending time watching insects is not what I had expected to do that day. Expectation is the first thing that needed to be dropped so that the intention of fun and togetherness, enjoying the nice weather outdoors could be experienced in a unique package of surprising simplicity. Zip lines and swings were totally unnecessary. What a gift to have a true beginner as my teacher so I could experience the benefits of staying curious, aware, and open to the wonder-filled present moment.

Beginners mind doesn’t require things tiny in size, only noticing on a deeper level what is present, dropping expectations, dropping what you “know,” and being open to discovery.