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Adventure Quote by Katherine May

“I think I'm beginning to understand that the quest is the point. Our sense of enchantment is not triggered only by grand things; the sublime is not hiding in distant landscapes. The awe-inspiring, the numinous, is all around us, all the time. It is transformed by our deliberate attention. It…” quote by Katherine May
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““I think I'm beginning to understand that the quest is the point. Our sense of enchantment is not triggered only by grand things; the sublime is not hiding in distant landscapes. The awe-inspiring, the numinous, is all around us, all the time. It is transformed by our deliberate attention. It becomes valuable when we value it. It becomes meaningful when we invest it with meaning. The magic is of our own conjuring. Hierophany--that revelation of the sacred--is something that we bring to everyday things, rather than something that is given to us. That quality of experience that reveals to us the workings of the world, that comforts and fascinates us, that ushers us towards a greater understanding of the business of being human: it is not in itself rare. What is rare is our will to pursue it. If we wait passively to become enchanted, we could wait a long time. But seeking is a kind of work. I don't mean heading off on wild road trips just to see the stars that are shining above your own roof. I mean committing to a lifetime of engagement: to noticing the world around you, to actively looking for small distillations of beauty, to making time to contemplate and reflect. To learning the names of the plants and places that surround you, or training your mind in the rich pathways of the metaphorical. To finding a way to express your interconnectedness with the rest of humanity. To putting your feet on the ground, every now and then, and feeling the tingle of life that the earth offers in return. It's all there, waiting for our attention. Take off your shoes, because you are always on holy ground.””

Katherine May

About This Quote

Source Essay: The Sacred Everyday, 2020

Finding enchantment in daily life requires intentional attention; the ordinary becomes extraordinary when we value and engage with it.

In simple terms: Notice and cherish everyday magic.

Key Takeaway

Seek wonder in daily moments.

Themes

mindfulness spirituality beauty

Mood

contemplative hopeful

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • personal reflection
  • creative practice
  • nature walks
  • learning new skills

Key Concepts

attention meaning-making everyday sacredness

Questions to Reflect On

  • What small beauty can you notice today?
  • How does intentional attention change your experience?
A Different Perspective

It may be hard to maintain focus amid distractions.

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