The Return of Wonder

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Harmony Hensley

I rode an elephant. In the Jungle. In Thailand.

If that doesn’t sound amazing to you I want you to keep rereading it until you can fully appreciate it for what it is. Wonderful. An experience that was filled with wonder.

How on earth did someone like me (born in Indiana amongst the corn and bean fields) end up on the other side of the world, sitting on an elephant just strolling through the rivers and hillsides of the jungle?

Whaaaaat????? I was flipping out the entire time. Seriously – here’s how the dialogue went down.

Harmony – “YOU GUYS!!!!!???? WE ARE RIDING ELEPHANTS. IN THE JUNGLE. IN THAILAND. WHAT IS HAPPENING????”

The rest of the group; whilst laughing at me – “You don’t get out much do you Harmony?”

Harmony – “WE’RE RIDING ELEPHANTS!!!!!! OH MY GOODNESS!!!!! HOW ARE YOU NOT FREAKING OUT????? I’M LEGIT FREAKING OUT!!!!!!”

The rest of the group; still laughing at me – “Yeah, we know.”

Harmony – “I CAN’T EVEN BELIEVE IT!!!!! I WISH MY HUSBAND AND MY SON WERE HERE!!!! THE HENSLEY MEN WOULD FLIP!!!! YOU GUYS WE’RE RIDING ELEPHANTS!!!!!!!!!!!! WE’RE IN THE JUNGLE!!!! LIKE A FOR REAL JUNGLE!!!!”

The rest of the group; perhaps now slightly annoyed by my enthusiasm”– “We know Harmony, we know.”

I’m still reeling from the amazing events of that day. I woke up in Thailand that morning, half a world away from that which is familiar, hopped in a van, and rode an elephant named Eleo (she was beautiful and marvelous, she plays the kazoo and is an accomplished painter), rode an ox cart, ate authentic Thai food in a hut while the rain poured down around us, making the air smell sweet and musky and magnificent. Then I went on a long bamboo raft ride through the mountains, toured an orchid and butterfly farm, and then closed out the day sweating like a horse at the night market. It was magic. Pure magic.

I realized that I was fully experiencing wonder. Grown ups are the worst when it comes to surrendering to moments of wonder. We’re so damn busy with “life” that we miss the mystery that surrounds us. What a colossal waste. I decided while I was on the back of that elephant that I am giving up being such a grown up all the time. It’s just silly. I’m saying yes to wonder. I’ve decided that I’m going to be more intentional about embracing the mystery that surrounds me and jumping head first into wonder. I want to be full of it. WONDER-FULL.

You know who is awesome at embracing wonder? Three-year-olds. Seriously – everything is mystical and exciting and engaging. I have a three-year-old and I’ve decided that I’m going to follow his lead. The boy is wonderful in every way. He is filled with wonder. And this Momma has decided this summer will be remembered for the return of wonder. The year that Harmony gave up on being so grown up.

Because I rode an elephant. In the jungle.

I RODE AN ELEPHANT IN THE JUNGLE. And it was magic.

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Harmony Hensley

Featured Storyteller

Harmony Hensley has a background in vocational ministry, para-church non-profits, design, sales and marketing, and has personally dealt with the stigma of disability. She has helped launch inclusion ministry initiatives in churches across the country and currently serves as the Senior Project Manager with Rebel Pilgrim Creative Agency, sharing stories that spark hope and action. She is also an Ambassador for 99 balloons, seeking to change the story of disability globally. Harmony is a sought after speaker, having spoken at national conferences such as the Accessibility Summit, Engage, Orange (2011), the NACC (North American Christian Convention), Through the Roof (Joni & Friends), SOS (Summer of Service), Be the Difference (anti-bullying program in public schools), and various churches across the country. She also consulted with the Tim Tebow Foundation for their “Night to Shine Prom” outreaches in 2015. Harmony holds a dual degree in Ministry Leadership and Biblical Studies from Cincinnati Christian University and has also previously consulted with Key Ministry, as well as Christian Churches Disability Ministry. She is a contributing writer for Rebel Storytellers and lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband Skyler, and son Ransom.

Latest posts by Harmony Hensley (see all)

• Permission Granted - July 8, 2015
• Lamentations (Charleston Shooting) - June 19, 2015
• The Return of Wonder - June 18, 2015
• The Power of “Yes, And” - June 12, 2015
• The Rising - May 4, 2015