The Dandelion
How Delight Changes the Way We Experience Life
My Auntie Paula and I have entered into a silent pact.
A sacred conspiracy of sorts.
We are making more room in our lives for whimsy.
We have sent Whimsy an invitation to take up residence in our hearts, and Whimsy has gladly accepted.
We follow our delights wherever they may lead. We have talked about Michael Jackson for weeks, and grabbed a midweek afternoon to see the biopic (her for the second time, me for the first).
Auntie Paula has fallen in love with the gem, moonstone, and just ordered jewelry online because it makes her feel good. She is going to read Alice in Wonderland after a poem I wrote (excerpt above) sent us tumbling down that particular rabbit hole.
What fascinates me most is how the world responds when we begin paying attention to wonder.
Yesterday, Auntie Paula came over for lunch. As she was heading out, I spotted a dandelion puff and handed it to her.
“Make a wish,” I said.
Without hesitation, she blew.
The seeds flew everywhere.
Into the air.
Into the car.
Into her face.
It was glorious chaos.
I laughed.
She laughed.
And then, for the briefest moment, the responsible adult in me surfaced with a clipboard and an evaluation form.
Surely there was a proper way to blow a dandelion . . . And this wasn’t it.
Surely there was a better technique to be practiced next time.
And then I caught myself.
Because the dandelion had already done exactly what it came to do.
It had given us laughter.
It had created a memory.
It had transformed an ordinary afternoon into a story we would tell later.
Children understand this instinctively.
They know that delight is not measured by precision.
Wonder does not require expertise.
Joy has never demanded perfect execution.
A dandelion puff hilariously blowing into the face of its blower is every bit as magical as one floating gracefully into the wind.
And, perhaps that is one of whimsy’s greatest gifts.
It invites us back into participation rather than performance.
Back into delight rather than evaluation.
Back into the simple pleasure of engaging with life in a playful way.
So if there is something calling to you; be it a curious book, a shiny stone, or a rabbit hole of fascination, I hope you follow it.
Wholeheartedly.
Playfully.
With the enthusiasm of someone who understands that wonder is not a destination.
It is a way of traveling through the world with joy and laughter.
And if you happen upon a dandelion puff in the coming days, consider it Mama Nature’s invitation to come out and play. ✨🌼
Asé.
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Lovely. What a happy read!
Dandelions are wonderful teachers. Is that painting your artwork? I really like it. 😊