June 5, 2026
Greetings to All!
Is anyone tuned into the concept of “whimsymaxxing”? If you were like me when I first heard it, you are going, huh? Amanda sent me a Substack piece about whimsymaxxing earlier this week and it got me thinking. The concept – when you separate the two words is to maximize your whimsy. Collins Dictionary defines whimsy as “behaviour which is unusual, playful, and unpredictable, rather than having any serious reason or purpose behind it.” It comes down to finding those sparks of joy and wonder in our lives.
I did some research and found that there have been a few articles online about the concept, but the “Neuroscience and Wellness” Substack that Amanda sent me sums it up in this way: “What if you intentionally looked for more wonder, beauty, adventure and delight in everyday life?” Most of our days are spent on autopilot. We get up and have our routines – routines that work and are comfortable – and then the day is over, and we start again the following morning. Where do we find the stories to tell, the memories to share, the joys to celebrate?
So, what if we were intentional about whimsymaxxing over the next few months? What if we paid more attention to the natural wonder and awe that surrounds us? Pay attention to the growth in the fields, watch the stars, pause for the sunrise or a sunset, listen to the rain. What if we were intentional about doing something new? Take a different road home, go to that coffee shop that you heard about, explore a new village, start a new book or project, do something spur of the moment. What if you did something different, just because you can? Light candles during dinner, send a postcard, blow bubbles, wear a special occasion outfit for no reason, buy yourself flowers or a special little gift. It doesn’t need to be something dramatic or expensive, just something that is different, novel or unpredictable. The list is as limitless as your imagination!
And then there is the next step. When you encounter or do something whimsical – share it with others. Maybe you take a picture and post it online. Maybe you tell a friend or two what you did – and how it felt. Also from the Substack article, “Whimsymaxxing isn’t about creating a magical life… it’s about noticing that life is already full of magic.” And by sharing our experiences we can help others to see that magic, mystery, joy, awe and wonder that is both in and surrounds each of us!
Last Sunday we heard the first creation story from Genesis, and we shared those places and events where awe and wonder were found. This week, amongst other stories, we hear Abram being called to leave his homeland, and Matthew being called to leave his tax booth. Both called to leave what was familiar and to go into the unknown – and lives that would be full of whimsical moments. We will gather to worship at our regular service times, Ilderton at 9:45am and Melville at 11:00am, as we hear how their respective journeys begin.
As we will sing throughout the next few weeks, let us dance, move and sing with the Spirit – a Spirit that leads us to find joy, to find whimsy, in the world that God loves.
Steve
PS. I do have nights that I don’t sleep particularly well, and last night was one of them. In the early morning hours, I noticed that the sky was getting lighter and glimpses of morning colours were streaking across the sky. I decided to spend a few minutes on our balcony watching the morning colours and took the attached picture to share. (Included in the picture are Lola and Quack, characters from the MeetQuack Facebook page which too often portray the relationship joys and challenges that Amanda and I experience – and in a whimsical thought I added them to our Christmas list and Amanda’s sister bought them for us last year. They will travel with us this summer and likely be in more pictures of adventure and wonder in our travels.)
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