There is a tender video of a man whose family chipped in to buy him special glasses for his birthday. They correct for color blindness. He is a burly man, probably not the kind who gets sentimental over commercials, or kittens. But when he started to gaze around him the scenery transformed from muted shades of mud to blues, and oranges, and yellows. He squeezed his fists to try to keep the emotions from leaking out. Looking at trees, and balloons, and his wife's face was a much more beautiful experience. His joy has since spread to the thousands of people who have witnessed it, without depleting his in the slightest. Beauty and happiness follow rules of abundance rather than scarcity. Having felt that surge of deep joy I was hooked, and spent the next half hour watching more videos like it. In several of them, the receiver first checked out the pamphlet that gives information about the glasses, and what to expect. This did not usually evoke a strong reaction. It wasn't until they put the glasses on that the magic began. 

 

I reread the book by Anne Lamott, called Help Thanks Wow. It's a quick read, and covers the three categories of prayer she finds most handy. I resonate with them. We turn to God when we are hurting, or scared. Then as life eases up our message moves to gratitude. But there is a third emotion that brings color to our relationship with the Lord. 

 

Wow!

 

Anne points out the similarity between wow and awe. Three little letters... a bouncy w and a vowel or two. 

 

This summer a bunch of friends have traveled to waterfalls, and mountains, and the Mediterranean, where the supply of wonder is plentiful. A few others were blessed by the miracle of birth. These bursts of splendor are like putting on special glasses, granting the vision of magnificence free to us all. 

 

There is a different video that takes a stab at describing the veil between heaven and earth. Perhaps it is similar to the divide between a monochromatic world and one vibrant with color. How can anyone find words to express stepping into eternal love? 

 

I have a sense that I am still just reading the pamphlets.