Writing my way through the A-to-Z blogging challenge, I’ve tasked myself with leading you on a meandering tour of the virtual garden of delights and curiosities and thoughts that make up my world – all through the lens of unusual, obscure, or simply charming-to-me words.
B is for..
badaud: (noun) a person given to idle observation of everything, with wonder or astonishment.
The etymology of this word is French, and it can also be defined with a more pejorative slant meaning a credulous or gossipy idler. Let’s leave that out of the mix as I self-define as a badaud. Instead, I’m inclined to embrace the admonishment from theologian and civil rights activist Abraham Joshua Heschel:
“Our goal should be to live life in radical amazement. . .get up in the morning and look at the world in a way that takes nothing for granted. Everything is phenomenal; everything is incredible. Never treat life casually. To be spiritual is to be amazed.“
Pondering badaud, I can’t help but think of the archetype of the Tarot’s Fool. The Fool is certainly not something we joyfully embrace in our society. Rather it often carries such shaming judgment as part of its baggage. But the Fool has a bigger role to play.
Let’s consider the Fool’s qualities. There’s freshness, innocence, pure limitless possibility. Knowing everything and knowing absolutely nothing. Raw truth and the willingness to speak it. Ability to rise above restrictions because they’re simply not recognized. Fool transcends tradition, convention and social norms with exuberance – and in doing so is able to bend perspective. Fool offers the reminder that we’re free to choose. With every step, in every moment. Fool totally represents current moment awareness – not being pulled into restrictions and fear from the past, nor being pulled ahead into speculation of the future and what has not yet occurred. And Fool most definitely invites magical encounters with the unknown. There is always the invitation to remember life is an adventure to be enjoyed, and change is part of the part. Fool is at the beginning of the journey, an initiate ready to rush ahead in unconcerned delighted, seeing the path ahead as a playground opportunity. Each moment is original and is to be met open-heartedly and with sparkly-eyed mischievousness.
We often give short shrift to innocence – allowing that there is a wonderfulness about it when associated with children, but not necessarily embracing it as a gift in those no longer young. Then there is often a stigma attached, somehow implying that one is naïve or vulnerable, idiotic or ignorant. I have to smile at that because, in truth, it is innocence that keeps one available to learn; keeps one available to transformation. Innocence carries fresh eyes and an open heart and understands anything is possible. And I think that’s a pretty wonderful perspective.
Don’t you think that’s a delightful invitation to fan the flame of the Fool spark within?
Are you inclined to live life in radical amazement? Are you inviting Fool to be present? What have you observed with wonder lately? Do tell – I’d love to hear.
Hari OM
Oh, I like this word – and can identify with it too – in the ‘fool essence’. Folk have often said of me that they think me naive. Mistaking that endless curiosity for some kind of stupidity! I can then become the Queen of Spades… jus’ sayin’! YAM xx
LOL – I wouldn’t want to meet you in that guise!
I like this word too and I always took the fool to represent the human condition. Present circumstances reflect that – suspended upside down over the void.
But I like your interpretation better…
I’m inclined to like my interpretation better as well Andrew. 🙂
Im thinking of one of my patients. Her past is filled with awards and honours. She was a woman before her time in education and ability.
We can spend an entire day watching nature from her bedroom window.
That to me is what this word badaud represents.
Thanks again for another delightful prompt.
http://moondustwriter.com/2020/04/02/alzheimers-and-old-butcher-knives-part-2-atozchallenge-elderly
A most excellent interpretation Leslie. You’ve added another beautiful layer for me – thank you.
I try to admire and appreciate the small things. I like the idea of innocence and naivete as positive attributes.
There’s such a gift in being able to appreciate nuances and subtleties – it’s like opening up a hidden gift no one else is bothering with.
Great word! I have been noticing the skies a lot lately, both in the morning when I take Benny for his walk and at night when the sun is setting and painting it so beautifully. I love the idea of living in amazement.
How lovely Janet. While we’re still experiencing a lot of overcast instead of direct sunshine, I’ve really been noticing a difference in the length of the days (lightwise) now. That shfit always feels magical to me – like a secret room has somehow been opened.
Interesting word. I notice many things, always have. Don’t know that I dwell on things I don’t like, but I do notice them. I prefer to live in amazement about the good things.
Good point Ally, and one I wish everyone would lean into. It’s certainly something we can consciously choose.
I’m taking a class on the Science of Well Being and savoring is one of our weekly assignments. To really be in the moment and notice / appreciate the world around us. While not exactly the same, it does remind me a bit of badaud as you describe it. Weekends In Maine
Indeed Karen. Sounds like a wonderful assignment, and I imagine the class itself is especially useful at this time.
Loved the way you have interpretted “fool” in another perspective…. True a fool wouldn’t mind to be themselves without any garb and always open and curious for receiving
There really are a lot of perspectives aren’t there, and that’s one of the things I like about Fool. Thanks so much for stopping by!
Wonderful philosophical essay on the fool. There are stories of fools throughout mythology that often play key roles. Tonight, as the air chilled, I went to shut the slider and heard a lone frog, singing his heart out. I thought what a fool, but there was such joy in his song.
Yes, I love the stories – Fool clearly has lots to teach us. I love your frog experience – how perfect!
“Radical amazement.” I love it. I think I instinctively have been doing it these days, mitigating the whole quarantine mentality by watching a lot of nature TV and marveling at how beautiful the world is, really… 🙂
Happy A to Z!
Perfect!
I proclaim myself a fool today. All those qualities you’ve listed Dehorah point me to be a fool.
Love the Joshua Heschel quote.
This morning, the branches of our mulberry tree, laden with so much fruit that they look like purple, red and green fairy lights, kept me busy with wonderment. I’m turning the ripe fruit into jam these days and the exquisite taste of it is nothing short of ‘radical amazement.’
Visions of your mulberry tree have me swooning Arti. Trees here are still haven’t quite woken from their winter slumber, but I’m waiting with excited anticipation for the first signs of budding. For me that Spring green of newly budding leaves is truly a luminous color I wait all year for. Happy jamming. 🙂