Rediscovering Wonder: The Power of Curiosity, Adventure, and Gratitude
When was the last time you saw your everyday life through new eyes? So often, we settle into routines or familiar landscapes and we rarely take the time to pause and consider how profoundly our perspective can shift with even a small change in scenery or experience. I was recently reminded of how travel, fresh adventures, and serving others can reignite our curiosity and deepen our gratitude no matter where we find ourselves.
Curiosity Beyond the Comfort Zone
Did you know California is not just four or five major metropolitan areas but in fact, 80% if its land is considered rural? Not long ago, my family and I packed up and set off to visit my wife’s family who live in northern California where we got to experience things like livestock auctions and pig races. Needless to say, those things are not too common in the natural rhythm of our lives.
What struck me most during our time together was how naturally curiosity arises when we step outside our usual patterns. My daughter’s observed, “Dad, our cousins have a completely different life than we do back home and that’s super fun to see.” Without knowing it, this became a touchstone for the rest of our travels. Her words reminded me: Children are naturally fascinated by difference, and adults can be too, if we approach the unknown with open-hearted curiosity. And even at the age of 14, she is still experiencing things for the first time.
This willingness to explore is a muscle we can all strengthen. Whenever we’re faced with something new or unusual, asking “What can I learn here?” shifts our energy from defensiveness or judgment to discovery. Whether you’re traveling across the globe or simply across town, there’s always something to see anew. There’s always a new perspective.
Discovery in the Familiar
Adventure doesn’t have to mean plane tickets or big plans. After our family visit, we ventured deeper into nature for a few days of camping at Lake Tahoe. It was there, beside a cold, fresh-water lake, that our kids rediscovered activities they’d loved as younger children: kayaking and paddle boarding.
It’s easy to overlook the familiar until we experience it again from a new vantage point. Watching my children re-engage with the water, I was struck by how quickly dormant passions can resurface when we make space for them. In my coaching practice, I often talk about Sage Power Explore. This is the idea that we all have the capacity to become fascinated anthropologists in our own lives. By encouraging ourselves and others to step back, we give curiosity room to lead, uncovering simple joys and forgotten interests.
Service and the Unexpected Gifts of Exhaustion
To round out our journey, our family took part in summer church camp. My wife chose to serve as a counselor for middle school girls, while I worked with elementary school boys. Our older two attended a youth camp for high schoolers. One of my high schoolers even shared a story that her friend was overcome by anxiety and my daughter activated her Sage Powers of Empathize & Activate to guide her friend through some PQ reps to help her reset. Mission accomplished!
By the end of camp, we returned home feeling a blend of exhaustion and renewal. That’s often the paradox of service: giving deeply can leave you physically tired but also filled up in ways that are less tangible and more lasting. It’s here that gratitude finds its foothold. Reflecting on the week, I found myself thankful. Thankful not only for rest but for the chance to connect, to serve, and to witness growth in my own children and in myself.
Harvesting Gratitude From Every Experience
It’s easy to focus on the messiness of travel, the fatigue of service, or the disruptions of routine. But, as I tell my clients, gratitude is not merely an afterthought; it’s a powerful lens. By choosing to pause and recognize even small gifts, we amplify our sense of fulfillment even in all of our busyness.
Throughout our adventures, new and familiar, restful and demanding I found myself returning to three questions:
How can I remain open to discovery?
What simple joys are waiting to be rediscovered?
Where can I express gratitude?
I was reminded again and again that when we approach life with curiosity, say yes to adventure, and harvest gratitude along the way, we find meaning in the very journey itself.
Closing Reflection
You don’t have to travel far or fill every moment with activity to experience these gifts. Curiosity, adventure, and gratitude are available in each day—whether you’re dipping your toes into a cold lake, sharing campfire stories, or just spending time with those you love.
I hope these stories have connected with you in some small way. If so, I invite you to take a small step today: try viewing your routine through the lens of curiosity or experiment with a gratitude pause at the end of your day.
Curious how these mental fitness practices could transform your own life or family? I’d love to support you anyway I can. Grab a complimentary discovery call with me, or explore more practical tips and resources on mental fitness. Let’s connect and help you uncover new ways to thrive!
