Jordan Ogren

July 28, 2022

One thing kids do that we should too.

"Airplane! Airplane!"

As I pulled my AirPods out, I realized what was happening.

The YMCA day camp–less than 500 feet from my apartment–began chanting "Airplane." But why? What game were they playing?

Confused as to why they would be chanting for a flying piece of aluminum, I went to my window and peered out. I notice a normal-looking plane flying in the sky.

What's all the fuss about?

Rather than throw some real clothes on and go over and ask the kids (that'd be weird), I sat back and contemplated.

Why would someone be so excited about an object that is so "unexciting?"

Then I used the inversion framework to ask a better question:

Why do I not get excited about ordinary/everyday things?

How have I lost my awe for the truly amazing things?

Think about if someone from the 1600s saw a few miles in the sky an aluminum vessel carrying people. They would lose their shit.

They would be so in awe that they would be unlikely even to utter a word.

Or maybe, just maybe, they would begin chanting–with the awe of a child–"Airplane! Airplane!" (That's assuming they would call it that...)

All that to ask you: How can you find more moments of awe?

I don't have the answer, but I'm looking.

I hope you look too.

🧠 + ❤️ // JO