Monica Parker, Founder of Hatch and author of *The Power of Wonder*, challenges the notion that happiness should be our ultimate goal. She argues that chasing happiness can lead to toxic positivity, leaving us emotionally shallow. Instead, she advocates for embracing wonder, with all its complexities—joy and fear alike. Parker shares how we can foster wonder through 'slow thought' practices like meditation and journaling, encouraging us to appreciate the beauty in our everyday lives. In a chaotic world, she sees wonder as the essential emotion to seek.
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insights INSIGHT
Choose Wonder Over Happiness
Happiness obsession leaves us emotionally shallow and unrealistic about life challenges.
Wonder is a more achievable and richer emotional goal for navigating a complex world.
insights INSIGHT
The Problem with Toxic Positivity
Toxic positivity restricts experiencing the full range of human emotions.
Embracing mixed emotions enhances our resilience and understanding of life.
insights INSIGHT
Wonder's Emotional Complexity
Wonder beautifully combines positive and negative feelings simultaneously.
This complexity makes wonder a powerful force for emotional resilience.
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The Extraordinary Emotion That Will Change the Way You Live, Learn, and Lead
Monica Parker
This book takes readers on a multidisciplinary journey through psychology, neuroscience, philosophy, literature, and business to share the surprising secrets behind the mechanics of wonder. It guides readers in bringing more wonder into their lives, discussing elements and elicitors of wonder such as art, architecture, love, sex, sleep, and psychedelics. The book emphasizes how wonder can transform our bodies and brains, making us more resilient and better able to manage stress. It also highlights the spiritual and self-transcendent aspects of wonder, helping readers reconnect with a reverence for the world and its magic.
**What if happiness isn’t the goal—but wonder is?** 🌌
In a world obsessed with positivity—where we chase happiness through job titles, self-help books, and even national constitutions—Monica Parker offers a radical shift: stop chasing happiness. Start seeking *wonder*.
Happiness, she argues, is often elusive and shallow. Worse, our obsession with it can lead to **toxic positivity**, robbing us of emotional depth. But *wonder*? It's messy, complex, and deeply human. It includes joy *and* fear, beauty *and* discomfort—like a butterfly breaking free from a chrysalis.
From nature’s goosebump moments to thought-provoking ideas and deep connections, Parker shows how wonder is everywhere—if we slow down enough to see it. Through “slow thought” practices like meditation, journaling, and sleep, we can awaken to wonder in our everyday lives.
She doesn’t claim mastery. Instead, she invites us to join her in choosing wonder—*over and over again*.
**Because in a chaotic world, maybe wonder—not happiness—is the emotion we need most.** 🌿✨
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