Joyful January #4- Go Somewhere New

Go Somewhere New 

Images from Matanaka (Matainaka) by Megan Gallagher 

https://www.heritage.org.nz/places/places-to-visit/otago-region/matanaka

Neoteny: ʻAgeing, yet retaining the childlike behaviour traits of spontaneity, creativity, exploration and living with a sense of wonder.' (Glenn Capelli, Thinking Caps, 2010) 

The dictionary definition of 'neoteny' is more about retaining childhood features into adulthood of a living creature, but Glenn's expanded definition is more about actively keeping our childlike behaviours. (Click here for a short article written by Glenn on the topic) Like our being silly on Day 2 of #Joyful January, there is a lot of good to come from maintaining a sense our child-like sense of wonder. 

Today we went exploring a historic spot about ten minutes from home that I had always intended checking out. Taking on this sense of child-like wonder through truly engaging my senses made the experience so much richer. 

I saw peeling bark on the eucalyptus (an imported tree from Australia), saw seed pods on the ground, saw the pathways of wood grain on the walls of the buildings, piwakawaka (fantails) flitting around the trees, saw beautifully coloured leaves on the ground, saw tangled roots and rotting stumps, saw the wonder in my little man's face as we explored the way the weighted door pulley worked.  

I heard bellbirds and fantails, the susurration of insects in the trees, the rustling leaves as the breeze blew through, the hum and thrum of

the ocean faintly in the background, the creek of the doors opening, the thud as they shut. 

I felt the softened earth beneath my feet after three days of rain, the smooth and rough tree trunks that we passed, the tracks of the wood grain on the walls, the rough concrete on the water tanks, the breeze as it brushed my skin, my little man's warm hand in mine as we walked up the hill, the door pulling shut as the weight pulley worked it's magic. 

I smelt refreshing eucalyptus and the sweet smell of leaf litter as we walked through the trees, the farm smell of animal poo, the smell of the ocean on the breeze. 

Not only this I read more about the history of this area and enjoyed a little wander with my family. This didn't take hours but while I was there it felt almost timeless, and that is because I was truly there... immersed in the experience, not distracted by a clock or the to-do list for a little while. 

Even if you can't go somewhere new today, perhaps just look at somewhere familiar with fresh eyes. Even your own back yard could contain treasures that you might have missed! Living with curiosity and wonder is a wonderful way to live. 

Click here for a link to the Joyful January Calendar

The Joyful January project is part of the Happy Healthy Teachers Matter Online Summit. This is an opportunity to start your year with tips, tools and techniques to ensure you have the health, energy and vitality to beat the end of term slump and fatigue, and be the best version of yourself all year long. For more information please follow this link: https://www.spectrumeducation.com/happy-healthy-teachers-matter-online-summit-home/