Final Report: Wonder and Hope - Hayden Dye (H01)

 Wonder and Hope- SSHM

   In John Kaag's Sick Souls, Healthy Minds, the sixth and final chapter was a very fitting conclusion to how William James can save your life. Kaag brings together the various themes explored throughout the book, particularly the concept of the "sick soul" and how James's philosophy can offer a path towards a healthy mind and a more fulfilling life, and he does this by discussing the significance of wonder and hope.

James's "Maybe" Answer

    An interesting way that James offers hope is in the word "maybe". Chapter six begins with the statement "LIFE IS WORTH LIVING," to which James suggested it should be changed to "LIFE IS WORTH LIVING - MAYBE." Now the addition of the word maybe may not be as satisfying of an addition as "always" might be, but there is a valid explanation as to why James is keen on the word. According to James, "it depends on the liver. It is up to each of us to, literally, make what we will of life" (SSHM, pg.171). The world as full of possibilities and "maybes," where individuals have the power to actively create meaning and value in their lives, rather than passively accepting a pre-determined fate. The “maybe” gives us the opportunity to make meaning out of our lives, in all its complexity, suggesting that life's value is not a fixed certainty but rather something we actively choose to engage in and find meaning in. We as the "livers" have the responsibility to make life meaningful, and I could not agree more. This is where hope is important. "Maybe" produces hope by allowing for the possibility of of positive outcomes in uncertain situations, essentially opening the door to a range of potential futures where things could turn out well, even when faced with challenges, thus providing a mental space to envision a better scenario and motivating action towards it. "Persistent variation gives rise to persistent wonder, and for James, this sense of mystery--of chance--was often enough to see him through when other practical measures failed him" (SSHM, pg. 173-174).

The Power of Wonder 

   Enough about hope, what about wonder? Well, James believed that maintaining a sense of wonder and curiosity about the world can counteract the despair that arises from a "sick soul" perspective, allowing for a more vibrant and engaged experience of life. As shown in his Varieties of Religious Experience, where he explores religious possibilities of life's experiences and the spiritual self. James states, "Were one asked to characterize the life of religion in the broadest and most general terms possible, one might say that it consists of the belief that there is an unseen order, and our supreme good lies in harmoniously adjusting ourselves thereto" (SSHM, pg. 177). Furthermore, James mentions Walt Whitman's "Crossing of Brooklyn Ferry" in Leaves of Grass, to which he greatly admires and agrees with Whitman's vision " to prompt our curiosities and hopes and suspicions" (SSHM, pg. 183). There was a sense of wonder James got from reading Whitman's poem that was enough to go around. In his reflection of Whitman's poem, James expressed that "the indisputable fact that this world never did anywhere or at any time contain more of essential divinity, or of eternal meaning, than is embodied in the fields of vision over which his eyes so carelessly pass" (SSHM, pg. 183-184). James incorporated wonder through many aspects of his life, including his philosophy. It is safe to say he was definitely an exemplar of wonder. 

    "No fact in human nature is more characteristic, than its willingness to live on a chance. The existence of the chance makes the difference... between a life of which the keynote is resignation and a life of which the keynote is hope."

- William James, Varieties of Religious Experience

    Obviously, James was a big fan of embracing hope and wonder into his life, but so am I. I believe that hope and wonder are required for a fulfilling life and that they are necessary for a healthy mind, soul, and body. Hope provides the emotional strength to face challenges, and it helps people see beyond the difficulties of life which encourage envisions of a better future, giving people motivation to continue during challenging times. When we hope we feel impowered to take action and make positive changes, which can lead to a sense of accomplishment and personal growth. Hope also allows us to remain optimistic during uncertain circumstances. It opens our minds to possibilities and opportunities, helping us to keep learning and evolving. Wonder ignites curiosity and encourages exploration. It fosters a deeper appreciation of life's mysteries. When we experience wonder, we are often more engaged in our surroundings and the world around us. Wonder can lead to a sense of transcendence, connecting us to something larger than ourselves. This connection often brings a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment. Together, hope and wellness nurture a sense of meaning and fuel our emotional well-being and our intellectual growth, so of course hope and wonder would contribute to a fulfilling life. I think without them, we would lack the motivation to continue living.


    While hope and wonder are important for a happy lifestyle, there are times when you lose hope and the sense of wonder. I have experienced this personally during my freshman year of college. I was a student athlete at Columbia State CC, playing soccer during our pre-season and I tore my ACL in the first fifteen minutes of the game. The pain was instantly excruciating and I knew then and there that I had messed up my knee in a major way. Every day, leading up to my scheduled surgery and my recovery process after, I lost hope that I would ever be able to play soccer again. As I lost hope, I also began to lose my admiration and wonder for the sport I had dedicated thirteen years of my life towards. Eventually, I figured out that all the anger and depression I was feeling was just holding me back from progressing, so I made a change. That change was my mindset. In the video I linked above, Dr. Chan Hellman talks about hope and how it is considered a mindset rather than an emotion. So, in this situation where I felt like hope was lost, I changed how I viewed my situation and used it as an opportunity for improvement and discovery. I embraced the healing journey and focused on recovery techniques to help me come back even stronger. I focused on my progression, the small wins, and tracking my milestones. I even took time to reconnect with my sport and rediscovered the joy of playing through watching teammates and game films. Slowly but surely, I gained my hope and wonder back, and all it took was changing my perspective.

        Discussion Questions:

• Do you believe hope and wonder are important for a fulfilling life? 
• Have you ever felt like all hope was lost in a situation? What helped you find hope again?