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Description
Val Walker's story of healing began in her darkest moment. Homeless, running from a violent partner, and battling suicidal depression, she found herself sitting by a river holding a bottle of pills in one hand and a bottle of red wine to wash them down in the other. Out of the twilight sky a majestic blue heron circled and landed just a few feet away. Something in the heron's piercing eyes caused her to stop swallowing the pills. She realized in that moment that there was just too much beauty and magic in the world to give up. Thus began a decades long quest to understand how wondrous encounters can spark healing from trauma and grief. This inspiring guide shares healing stories sparked by wondrous experiences and unpacks the neuroscience that explains how wonder helps our brains and bodies heal.
Table of Contents
PART ONE My Story of Healing Through Wonder
Preface: Hope, Wonder, and Comfort: Encounters with Wild Birds
Chapter 1. The Providence of Herons
Disappearing into the Light
Tricks of Light
The Blue Heron
Back to My Senses
Chapter 2. Learning from Herons
Failing Psychotherapy
What Herons Taught Me
My Blue Notebook
Chapter 3. Finding Peace Through Wonder
Building on Strengths
The Luna Moth and the Butterfly
Maine
Chapter 4. Reclaiming My Sense of Wonder
My Little Book of Wonders
Discovering the Neuroscience of Awe and Wonder
Sharing Moments of Awe and Wonder with Others
PART TWO Stories of Healing Through Wonder
Preface: Introducing Four Wondrous Profiles
Chapter 5. Robyn Houston-Bean: Living with Uncertainty Through Awe and Wonder
Robyn's Story
The Dragonfly
Sharing Awe and Wonder in Relationships and Groups
How Wonder Helps Us Live with Uncertainty
Robyn's Wonder Wisdom in a Nutshell
Chapter 6. Luke Schmaltz: Finding Wonder in Everyday Conversations
Luke's Story
The Wonder of Voice
The Art of Finding Wonder in People
Luke's Wonder Wisdom in a Nutshell
Chapter 7. Carol Bowers: Healing Through Sharing Awe and Wonder
Carol's Story
Jeff
Holding On
The Healing Power of Sharing Awe with Others
Carol's Wonder Wisdom in a Nutshell
Chapter 8. Ricky Allen: The Awe-Inspiring Kindness of a Stranger
Ricky's Story
A Second Chance Put into Action
How Awe Inspires Us to Care for Others
Ricky's Wonder Wisdom in a Nutshell
PART THREE The Healing Power of Awe and Wonder
Preface: Opening to Wonder: An Invitation
Chapter 9. Bringing Awe and Wonder into Our Lives
Protecting Our Sense of Wonder in a Cynical World
The Worlds of Wonder Around Us
Chapter 10. Resilience and Community Through Awe and Wonder
A Red-tailed Hawk
A Willingness to Be Wondrous
Paths to Resilience
Creating Community Through Awe and Wonder
Appendix: A Friendly Guide to Wondrous Things (A Toolkit)
Product details
| Published | Jan 08 2026 |
|---|---|
| Format | Hardback |
| Edition | 1st |
| Extent | 224 |
| ISBN | 9798881842406 |
| Imprint | Bloomsbury Academic |
| Dimensions | 216 x 140 mm |
| Publisher | Bloomsbury Publishing |
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