The daily grind can dull our sense of wonder. As busy as we get, we often forget to look around. Life’s small, beautiful moments fade into the background. Yet, jumping back into those moments can transform our outlook. Awe can be found quite literally anywhere. It can be in the favorite song you hear on your commute to work, the sun shining on your face, or in seeing your child take their first steps. Rediscovering awe in our everyday lives can lead to more joy, happiness, and fulfillment.
Thank you for reading this post, don’t forget to subscribe!So, What is Awe?
A psychologist at the University of California Berkley, Dacher Keltner, defined it best: “Awe is the feeling of being in the presence of something vast that transcends your understanding of the world.”
It’s definitely vast, yes. But it’s also more simple and accessible than we think, as he covers in his book “Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How it Can Transform Your Life.”
Awe is a complex emotion. Although it can also be associated with dramatic and life-changing events, the reality is that it can be part of everyday life, defined with two characteristics:
- Perceived vastness: which can come from observing something literally large and beautiful like the Grand Canyon, witnessing an act of kindness, or from thinking about something really complex.
- An experience of awe also exceeds our expectations, when it violates our normal understanding of the world, and makes us think about ourselves and the world differently.
When an experience is both vast and exceeds our expectations, it is truly AWE-some.
The fast pace of modern life can make everything feel routine. Our sense of wonder is bound to decline with constant distractions. However, if we slow down and pay attention, we can find awe in the ordinary.
The Science of Awe
Just like joy, peace and love, awe is critical to our well being. Keltner’s research suggests that awe has incredible health benefits, like calming down our nervous system, and triggering the release of oxytocin, the “love” hormone that promotes trust and bonding.
New research also shows that awe has been deemed “it’s own thing.” Meaning that scientifically, our bodies respond differently when we are experiencing awe, than when we are feeling joy, fear or another emotion.
And, it gets better! Awe also obviously has psychological benefits! If you have the same critical, nagging voice in your head like I do, telling you you’re not smart, beautiful, or good enough (enter other unhelpful thought here) guess what?! Awe actually quiets this negative self talk, and literally deactivates the part of the brain involved in how we perceive ourselves, aka our ego.
Essentially, this feeling can cause you to feel smaller, and less self-centered in the face of something vast or awe-inspiring, which leads to a sense of connection with something larger than yourself.
Awe reminds us of our place in the world, but more importantly, reminds us how insignificant we are in the grand scheme of things.
As contradictory as it may seem, in order to expand and contribute to the world we are a part of, we must realize how small, like a speck in a world of billions, we really are. But isn’t it beautiful to think that we each have a unique purpose and path of our own?
Everyday Sources of Awe
Reconnecting with awe is truly a necessary part of living a fulfilling life, and you can begin by looking for the extraordinary in the seemingly ordinary. The following are a few areas in which you can start to cultivate and notice awe, all around you.
Cultivating Wonder Through Nature
Spending time outdoors is known to elevate mood and inspire awe. Being in nature allows us to appreciate the beauty all around us, big and small.
- Take walks in parks, even a short stroll can help you to reconnect.
- Observe wildlife, watching squirrels nearby or tuning into the birds chirping around you. Their actions can inspire awe.
- Take some time to sit on a park bench, creating space to tune into your senses, feeling the breeze and listening to the rustling leaves.
You never need to go far to really experience the power of nature. Nearby green spaces, like a community garden or park, can also spark awe.
Finding Awe in Human Connection
Relationships, a crucial aspect of our existence, also deepen our sense of wonder. When we connect with others and deepen bonds, we share experiences that create lasting memories and provoke awe.
- Organizing get togethers or a game night, and encouraging laughter and humor fosters connection and awe.
- Cooking meals or sharing recipes with family or friends to create shared memories.
- Even practicing active listening during conversations with family and friends can encourage a deeper sense of connection and strengthen bonds.
Awe can be found and nurtured through a multitude of shared experiences, especially with similar interests or passions in mind. Additionally, this can include volunteering and giving back which makes a meaningful impact on the world we are a part of.
(More on volunteering coming soon!)
In Creative Expression
Art can be an incredibly transformative expression of our feelings that connects us to the world around us. Engaging in any kind of creative activity can spark joy and curiosity.
- Painting and drawing is a great way to express ourselves without fear of perfection, and allows us to uncover our inner child and creative spark.
- Playing music, singing, or dancing freely can allow us to let the rhythm and melody bring us joy.
- Writing stories, poems, or letters is a powerful way of using words which capture moments of awe and wonder.
Everyone can tap into creativity, no matter the skill level. Any way of expressing yourself can lead to awe-filled moments!
Embracing and Expanding Awe
But of course, awe isn’t confined to just these practices. In each moment, even tuning into your presence itself can bring feelings of awe. Grounding yourself into the present, feeling your feet on the ground and using your senses can inevitably allow you to become more tuned in to the beauty all around you, that we often overlook in our busy lives.
A popular practice for this is known as the 54321 grounding technique, which involves noticing 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, and 1 thing that you can taste. This practice is a simple yet effective way to bring yourself into the present moment.
Give yourself a gift of five minutes of contemplation in awe of everything you see around you. Go outside and turn your attention to the many miracles around you. This five-minute-a-day regimen of appreciation and gratitude will help you to focus your life in awe.
Wayne Dyer
The Ongoing Journey of Rediscovering Awe
Finding awe is a continuous journey. Every new experience and each moment can truly fill your life with awe, if you notice and allow it to.
Keep exploring and embracing wonder every day. Slow down and observe your surroundings, connect with nature, people, and engage in creative activities that encourage and allow awe to flourish. Never stop spreading kindness, and exploring the world.
Practice gratitude for the small moments, and you’ll find awe all around you. Appreciation allows us to see beauty in the mundane.
Each day holds the potential for wonder; so seize it!
Sources
Reese, Hope. “How A Bit of Awe Can Improve Your Health.” Nytimes.Com, 2023, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/03/well/live/awe-wonder-dacher-keltner