The Importance of Wonder
“Wisdom begins in wonder.”
― Socrates
As a magician, I regularly get to watch people enter a state of wonder. It’s an amazing transformation. They go from being skeptical and serious to being wide-eyed and joyful, often in the blink of an eye. Their whole energy changes. It’s like they travel in time back to when they were a child. One of my favorite compliments came from my friend Zorah who said, “when I see Dan perform, I turn into a giddy 5 year old.”
But wonder isn’t just about having fun. There’s an ever-growing body of research that shows the positive mental and physical effects of wonder and awe. The experience of awe is associated with increased mental and physical well-being. When we feel awe, we get a boost in optimism and a sense of connection to something bigger than ourselves. It can help us focus more on others and engage in more prosocial behaviors like ethical decision-making, generosity, and helping. That’s powerful stuff.
Watching magic tricks has even been shown to boost creativity and a foster a belief that anything is possible.
The good news is that awe and wonder are not hard to find. The internet is full of videos of incredible magic tricks (Penn and Teller’s show, Fool Us is a great place to start.) Take in a performance of music or visit to your local art museum to seek out displays of true mastery. Or just walk outside and take a few minutes to slow down and really look at a tall tree.
And if all else fails, you can always watch me in action.
I’m curious - where/when/how do you experience wonder and what effect does it have on you?
Please comment below!
You can read about my new keynote presentation at https://www.dantrommater.com/what-i-do/#speaking
Sources:
Awe as a Pathway to Mental and Physical Health - Maria Monroy and Dacher Keltner, 2023
Seeing the impossible: the impact of watching magic on positive emotions, optimism, and wellbeing - Richard Wiseman and Caroline Watt, 2024