sonder – n.
the realization that each random passerby
is living a life
as vivid and complex as your own.
—
THE DICTIONARY OF OBSCURE SORROWS – John Koenig
—
kerrytown, ann arbor, mi, usa – march 2019
Mar26
- Comment
- Reblog
-
Subscribe
Subscribed
Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
I didn't have my glasses on.... 
And the constant shock at the realization that so many lives exist that we all have no personal knowledge of. Blows my mind ALL the time.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great word. It’s a great reminder. Sometimes I think we forget that – or I do!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it hits me every so often and it really makes me think
LikeLiked by 1 person
We need to. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
There are a million stories in the naked city, said the start of that old TV show, Beth.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha, yes!
LikeLike
I feel it. Didn’t know there was a word for it! Thanks Beth.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, me too –
LikeLike
Really beautiful to learn and acknowledge.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it puts things in perspective and takes the focus off of ourselves and what we worry about
LikeLiked by 2 people
Perhaps that should be added to the definition.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes-
LikeLike
New word for me! Thanks, Beth 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure- words are great, aren’t they?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Beth. If you’re interested I have nominated you for the Liebster Award. It’s up to you if you want to do it. Much love and best wishes to you 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ty –
LikeLike
I often have such thoughts when I am walking – I did not know it had a name 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Its funny how all of a sudden we take notice of this and then forget again-
LikeLike
We really don’t know what someone else is going through, do we… Great reminder here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Exactly
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cool word. I just feel it should be a verb, “. . . to sonder.” More to ponder. )))
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such profound awareness – I remember how it felt when I first realized that!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is an amazing feeling
LikeLiked by 1 person
WOW! Love that!! Thanks for teaching me that word today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure)
LikeLike
I’d never heard that word before.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Same here but it described the experience perfectly
LikeLiked by 1 person
I came across it at an interesting time. We are waiting to hear back on a job interview for my daughter. She would really like the position, but as it turns out, so would 9 other qualified people… So, we are all sort of having the same experience, but yet not.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Who knew? Good luck to her )
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I did not know this word’s meaning. You give it depth and importance, Beth. Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are very welcome
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for this post and for this new word. When I began doing a little research about John Koenig and the origin of the word, I came across this YouTube. Phenomenal. I also came across a TED talk that Koenig had done, and later a TEDx talk as well. Thanks so much for this post and for introducing me to Koenig …
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely my pleasure
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a good reminder 🙏🏻💚
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think so too
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: Morii … | 3bones
We all need that reminder now and then, too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s always a good wake up call
LikeLiked by 1 person