The Facets of Wonder

 The Facets of Wonder

Keltner’s categories of awe and wonder can be further complemented by the work of Jeffrey Davis, an author and researcher on wonder. Davis (2021) emphasized that there are six main facets to wonder. These facets can equip one to be aware of the moments when they are cultivating these wide-ranging, wondrous experiences.

1. Openness – “The Wide Sky Facet”

“Naiveté is the most important attribute for genius." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

So much is possible when you open your eyes to wonder. This facet is all about having an open mindset, which disrupts preconceived ways of viewing oneself and the world around them (Davis, 2021). It is a state of being open to new ideas and having a fresh view of what is around you. Being open allows someone to be more creative, problem-solve better, and give their life more meaning (Davis, 2021). Perhaps not knowing everything or being ignorant of hurdles in business, creative pursuits, and the like can be advantageous. Sometimes not knowing what to fear and having fresh eyes helps push people forward and find a better solution. Instead of being reactive to the unknown, openness allows one to be creative instead. Andreasen (2005) explained that “the capacity to approach the world in a playful and even childlike manner adds an intermittently joyous tone to the life of the creative person.” Being open assists someone in seeing things through a child’s eyes, as if it were for the first time. With openness, all things are possible.

2. Curiosity – “The Rebel Facet”

“Curiosity is the essence of human existence." - Gene Cernan

Since day one, humans have had a natural tendency to be curious. “Why is the sky blue?” “What does this word mean?” “How big is the ocean?” The fascination with discovery, seeking new knowledge, and learning by doing encompasses the facet of curiosity. Researchers have found that people with frequent high curiosity report higher levels of life satisfaction, well-being, and meaning (Kashdan & Steger, 2007). The state of wonder, or the ability to have an open and receptive mindset toward life, is a catalyst for being curious (Davis, 2021). It is important to distinguish between following curiosity and following passion. There can be a false expectation of quick outward success leading to inner fulfillment when one tries to “hack” mastery and success in following a passion. When instant success doesn’t follow effort, people tend to blame themselves, blame others, and want to quit. There is a myth that exists that I bet everyone has heard before — “Follow your passions.” The myth is that if you just follow your passions, then fulfillment will come. However, a study done at Yale and Stanford found that people who believed following passions would give them fulfillment were “...less satisfied than those who instead followed their diverse curiosities” (O’Keefe et al., 2018). Following curiosities likely aids one in handling disappointments and challenges (O’Keefe et al., 2018). Curious individuals understand that they may need to pivot and redirect themselves as needed. There is fulfillment in the learning process just as much as the reward. Whether you are being curious about your own projects or work pursuits, it is important to leave room to be curious simply because you want to be. As Davis (2021) reminds us, “our curiosity doesn’t always have to be productive. Sometimes it just wants to play without why.” Be curious and follow your curiosities; it may just lead to a wondrous adventure and discovery.

3. Bewilderment – “The Deep Woods Facet”

“Sell your cleverness and buy bewilderment. Cleverness is mere opinion. Bewilderment brings intuitive knowledge.” – Rumi

Bewilderment is known as the state of being perplexed or confused (Davis, 2021). It is a disorienting facet of wonder. Have you ever experienced feeling somewhat disoriented, confused, or lost, and that experience guided you to a specific realization or direction for your life? Bewilderment serves as a paradox, because usually, finding deep fulfillment requires being temporarily lost (Davis, 2021). Famous stories such as The Wizard of Oz, The Chronicles of Narnia, and Alice in Wonderland all include bewildered characters who are given the opportunity to redeem their best selves, overcome challenges, and be part of a meaningful story. Bewilderment isn’t about being fearful, rather, it is a state of being surprised, stimulated, and enraptured by something; therefore, senses are heightened in bewilderment (Davis, 2021). During bewilderment, one may embrace the confusion and lean into it, instead of fleeing from it. This facet of wonder can challenge the self-defined roles people make for themselves. Neuroscientist Kelly Bulkeley (2005) emphasized that when one feels wonder, “their ordinary sense of personal identity is dramatically altered and leads to new knowledge and understanding that ultimately recenters the self.” Rather than seeing confusion and bewilderment as a threat, approach them as an opportunity for wonder. It might just change your life.

4. Hope – “The Rainbow Facet”

“To live without hope is to cease to live." - Fyodor Dostoyevsky

You may be wondering, “What on earth does hope have to do with a rainbow?” Well, renowned psychologist and researcher on hope, C. R. Snyder, graces us with a metaphor for rainbows. Snyder (2002) stated that “...a rainbow is a prism that sends shards of multicolored light in various directions. It lifts our spirits and makes us think of what is possible. Hope is the same—a personal rainbow of the mind.” When life throws us curveballs, setbacks, challenges, and even storms we think we will never get out of, hope allows us to find purpose and creativity no matter the circumstances. When one is given an uncertain future, they have two options on how to respond: with fear or with hope. Hoping is different than wishing. Wishing means there is a disconnect between you and the desired outcome, meaning your actions will not make a difference in the matter; on the other hand, hope is the belief that the future will be better than the present and that your actions will make it so (Davis, 2021; Snyder, 2002). You have power and control. Not everything will go according to plan or turn out how you would like, but this facet of wonder empowers you to move forward and come out better than before. Hope is the rainbow directing you out of a storm.

5. Connection – “The Flock Facet”

“The world is so empty if one thinks only of mountains, rivers, and cities; but to know someone who thinks and feels with us, and who, though distant, is close to us in spirit, this makes the earth for us an inhabited garden.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Wonder doesn’t have to be something experienced independently. It is also relational and can bring an adaptive advantage (Davis, 2021). Researcher Martha Nussbaum (2003) elucidates that wonder can give rise to emotions such as compassion and love, which draw us toward one another. Wonder can help us to open up and receive the beauty, fascination, and difference in another human being. Connection helps us to dissolve biases and unite with others. We can see what is true and real about another person, and this social bond is advantageous for many reasons. A major reason connection is vital for not only thriving, but also surviving, is that actual and perceived social isolation are associated with increased risk for early mortality (Holt-Lunstad, 2015). Vivek Murthy (2017), the former surgeon general of the United States, commented that “loneliness and weak social connections are associated with a reduction of lifespan similar to that caused by smoking fifteen cigarettes a day.” Simply put, connection and relationships are essential to one’s mental and physical well-being (Holt-Lunstad, 2015). Today’s world relies heavily on technology to connect to others, and while this can be helpful in certain situations, it may often result in people having less in-person interactions. Psychologist Barbara Fredrickson (2013), explains how the human body does not respond in the same ways to the symbols of love across physical distance as it does to eye contact, touch, body language gestures, and hugging. For centuries, humans have relied on these in-person social interactions with one another to stay bonded and form survival groups. Having strong connections and relationships with others helps people feel a sense of safety, security, and belonging; therefore, experiencing wonder with another person could be beneficial to one’s health (Fredrickson, 2013). Whether that means you experience a wondrous moment with another person that bonds you or you simply feel wonder towards another person—with no desire for gain or manipulation—wonder allows us to authentically connect to others, deepen our relationships, and strengthen our collective potential.

6. Admiration – “The Mirror Facet”

“Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.” – Voltaire

Having someone to look up to and be an example has many benefits, one of which is that it enhances wonder (Davis, 2021). Admiration is experiencing a surprising love for another person’s excellence, which in turn can awaken us to become better versions of ourselves (Davis, 2021). Part of the Latin root for admiration is the word “mira,” which means “to wonder.” The English language uses that root for the word “mirror.” So, when one can witness another person in their element—watching the lead sing on Broadway, reading moving poetry that sparks our imagination, or observing the winning goal for the World Cup—something within us ignites. Admiring a person at their best connects us to our values, ideals, and dreams that we can live out in our own way (Davis, 2021). On the flip side, admiring others helps us realize that others can admire us as well. So, admiration works as a sort of “wonder mirror.” However, there is a slippery slope between admiration and jealousy. While jealousy or being envious entails a feeling of disconnect or resentful longing aroused by someone else’s possessions, qualities, or luck, admiration energizes people to improve themselves, advance their skills and talents, and achieve their goals (Algoe & Haidt, 2009). In particular, Algoe and Haidt (2009) established that people are moved to excel by admiring others in two distinct ways: by observing someone’s exceptional skill, achievement, and talent or by witnessing someone else’s exceptional virtue. So, while envy will bring someone down, admiration will uplift them. Admiration motivates people to fulfill their own potential when they witness others' wondrous excellence. In turn, they can take on the role of being admired by others and helping them fulfill their potential.