The Magic of Awe!

I'm just back from Glacier National Park. We were surrounded by a world of natural wonder. It's not hard to feel centered, still and connected in places like this.

The trick is planting those moments of awe in your brain - taking a big of that wonder into the everyday existence. This makes your mind more aware of an attuned to the small moments of awe around us every day. . . .

Watching the people you love do small tasks, seeing the eyes of the old woman that remind you of your mother, snuggling with a dog who sees you as his entire life, the early morning frost, noting the moment one of your kids learn something, a hug . . .

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“Awe” is the emotional reaction that happens when you encounter powerful experiences, such as works of art, inspiring human stories, or the wonder of nature .  .  .

Experiences of awe evoke a sense of wonder. They can transform the way you see the world. They create a sense of humility. In these moments you appreciate how blessed you are to be part of something so grand, so beautiful and so eternal. In these moments you connect with, and surrender to, something greater than yourself, including God.

Studies show that experiencing awe reduces stress, increases compassion, and calms the nervous system. People who feel awe report higher satisfaction with life and greater feelings of well-being. They feel less stressed, and less isolated. It can bolster creativity.  .   . it can enhance a sense of connectedness and perspective.[1]  .  .  . Like meditation, experiencing a sense of awe quiets the brain’s default mode network so you focus less on yourself, and can experience connection to the world around you.

 . . . You may need to re-develop a habit of tapping into it. When you do, when you are more keenly aware and present, you’ll find that even small moments can trigger a sense of awe, thereby consistently reinforcing the sense of being part of something beyond yourself.