The fact that we didn’t lose power in the Blizzard if 2026 is a miracle! We have over 3 ft of snow, the state of RI offices were closed today and will be tomorrow also. There is a driving ban which I believe will be lifted tomorrow morning. This blizzard surpassed 1978 Blizzard in snow amounts!
That a flick of a switch I have light. With a turn on a key my car starts or the door opens With push of a button my toast pops up or the burners on the stove heat.
What seemingly ordinary things awaken awe within me?
Every time I see this question
or one similarly worded
I want to scream out,
“There is nothing ordinary here!”
Nothing.
From the trillions of grains of sand on the beach
to the last living Ivory-billed woodpecker in the world,
everything is a miracle.
Why in the world
would we close our eyes to these things?
Think of how our hearts beat
and our lungs breathe
without us giving it a thought.
Our skin cells renew themselves,
our hair and fingernails grow of their own accord.
Our eyes blink when they need to,
not when we command it.
We scratch where it itches,
cry when we hurt . . .
we moan with pleasure
and sing for joy.
We know all of this,
don’t we?
Yet this knowledge and wisdom
so easily slips away
when we forget who we are,
and who we are not.
We are given the opportunity to remember
every day.
I am grateful for that.
It’s still winter with freezing temps in the morning. The simple sight of hoar frost on the grass, windshield, safety banister brings me a deep sense of Awe.
Birds reappearing, returning after a long cold winter. I recently observed a flock of geese overhead & heard them squawking on a very “early” spring day.
Seeing & hearing them gave me pause & put a smile on my face. I shouted a “welcome back”!!
Incredible that they know when to leave & when to return.
🕊️❤️
I would use a sense of wonder, rather than awe, to describe how I feel. Rewritten, then, “What seemingly ordinary things awaken wonder within me?”
Everything in the natural world, really. The way seeds push up through the soil and become plants. How varying minerals, pressure and time can create a stone with a circle wrapped around it, like the one I have sitting on my desk. Rainbows. The chuckling of a stream over rocks, and the way its music changes with more or less water or the movement of one of those rocks. Eggs transform into birds. Caterpillars flutter away as butterflies and moths. Tadpoles jump into adult frogs.
The alchemy of cooking, too. How living yeast pushes the flour, water and salt into new shapes, and how the oven’s heat bakes it into delicious flavors. The way a touch of salt or acid brings out the flavors in a humble vegetable. Making a soup recipe again and again, with central notes that stay the same and yet subtle differences. How heat caramelizes the sugars in a vegetable, whether it’s an onion or squash or something else.
The way the built world functions thanks to the labor of others, most of the time with enough consistency and quality that I don’t have to think about it. I turn on my tap: Water flows. I flush the toilet: Waste vanishes. I flip a switch: Light blooms or vanishes. I open the mailbox: Letters await.
This morning I read a poem by James Crews in his book Unlocking the Heart: Writing for Mindfulness, Courage, and Self-Compassion. I know it contributed to how I approached this question.
“Prayer to Be Changed”
I ask for just the slightest shift
in my thinking, the kindest sifting
of my busy mind so only wonder
and peace are left behind. So that
as I walk in sleet on this spring morning
I can see even these muddy ruts
made by careless trucks on the forest trail
as harbors of miracle, knowing they will
fill with enough snowmelt and rain
for tadpoles to swim in come summer,
until that sunlit instant when they feel
the flexing of legs in the water beneath them,
and leap out onto the ground, their bodies
having decided, by pure instinct alone,
to be soft and alive in this world.
The first thing that came to mind was my son and daughter-in-law’s dedication to rescuing feral and abandon animals. Their devotion to those animals whose vet bills drain their budget fill me with awe. In perusing my journals for the word “reverence, I found a Morning Meditation from 2023 about tody’s quote which I share below.
Morning Meds July 26 2023 Reverence
17th Century Poet John Milton wrote “Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world.”
The Encarta dictionary defines the noun reverence as respect felt or respect gained. This definition makes Milton’s quote even more profound for me. Milton is reminding me that an attitude of gratitude is like having 3D glasses. It broadens my experience of life and deepens my encounters with creation. It heightens all of my senses. It reminds me to take the “r” out of the word revolution and pray for the evolution of our species.
It tells me to refuse to be tribal. In my small circles of influence, I need to choose to be the peace I seek–own my thoughts, feelings and actions. Live the question: Who am I? It’s much more important than “Who are they?” Ask myself consistently, What do I know for sure, anyway?
Today is always the day…remembering that keeps me on my toes!
Gratitude
really does produce reverence in our human souls,
dear Carol Ann.
I had always known there was a connection,
but never thought about it
quite that way . . .
thank you. ♥
I find quite a few things to be awesome.
But if I had to pick one right now, I would say watching birds fly. The way that a Turkey Vulture can soar for hours without flapping its wings, or a Hummingbird darting around at ridiculous speeds,
or a huge flock of Starlings flying in a murmuration.
What amazes me, Charlie, is how those big Canadian Geese can get off the ground and fly. I love hearing their call.
Huge flocks of Starlings flying in a mumuration are absolutely mesmerizing. I can’t even imagine how they do that.
Thank you for reminding me of how awe inspiring, and diverse birds are.
Mostly, I wake up around 5:30. Therefore, the sunlight enters my room after me. Today, when I stepped into my room, light filled the corner. I was in a rush because I knew that I woke up late. But I love to see the bright morning, full of positivity. Happy Monday to all! ☀
A big, bold, black-and-white magpie on a distant tree. A blind woman singing while the rest of our song circle harmonized around her. A piping hot latte, rich with foamed milk. Bulbs waiting to erupt into bloom in spring. These are some ordinary sources of awe from the weekend.
Right now the thing that is capturing my attention is the way I don’t want to get going, and just want to goof off today. This doesn’t answer today’s question but it is very noticeable to me. I’m going to ignore that feeling for now and get going with my day, which will be fine once I start. Awakening awe in me is my breath. I am using it right now to gain energy and bring positive energy into my body and spirit. For some reason this is causing tears to come up. I accept that and accept that no matter how I show up today, this is my life and this is my spiritual life, and I will show up. I am focusing today on being present. Sending love to all.
The sky – it’s never exactly the same, from one moment or day to the next. That there are so many different musical tunes in the world with only a finite number of notes. Dust fairies, my heartbeat and breath and the brain’s electrical system (well, the whole body, really), a walk in a local park; that I’ve seen two russet potatoes in my life that were shaped exactly like a heart; that we all show up here every day to look for or express gratitude in this crazy sad world in order to find joy and hope. That’s AWE-some.
I had never thought of what you said about musical tunes. That’s so interesting. So we create novelty maybe through unique combinations of notes, rhythms, and other sounds. Have a great day, Katrina.
The list is long …
Falling snow
Resilience of the human spirit
Big weather
Creativity expressed in many ways
Musical performances
Rebirth in Spring
So much more…
Patti, Your first response about the moon stirred me. I often look at the moon and am reminded that we all see the same moon with no nationality involved.. Then I feel sad because it’s obvious that our country and several other countries want to claim it as real estate.
Give yourself the gift of free bi-monthly inspiration including uplifting articles, diverse stories, supportive practices, videos, and more, delivered with heart to your inbox.
The fact that we didn’t lose power in the Blizzard if 2026 is a miracle! We have over 3 ft of snow, the state of RI offices were closed today and will be tomorrow also. There is a driving ban which I believe will be lifted tomorrow morning. This blizzard surpassed 1978 Blizzard in snow amounts!
Stay safe and warm!
Quite the « snow bomb » as they call it, Robin Ann. So glad you are safe and warm. Enjoy being in your snow globe today.🩷❄️❄️❄️
Glad for you and others in R.I.
That a flick of a switch I have light. With a turn on a key my car starts or the door opens With push of a button my toast pops up or the burners on the stove heat.
It’s all amazing,
isn’t it,
dear Yram? ♥
What seemingly ordinary things awaken awe within me?
Every time I see this question
or one similarly worded
I want to scream out,
“There is nothing ordinary here!”
Nothing.
From the trillions of grains of sand on the beach
to the last living Ivory-billed woodpecker in the world,
everything is a miracle.
Why in the world
would we close our eyes to these things?
Think of how our hearts beat
and our lungs breathe
without us giving it a thought.
Our skin cells renew themselves,
our hair and fingernails grow of their own accord.
Our eyes blink when they need to,
not when we command it.
We scratch where it itches,
cry when we hurt . . .
we moan with pleasure
and sing for joy.
We know all of this,
don’t we?
Yet this knowledge and wisdom
so easily slips away
when we forget who we are,
and who we are not.
We are given the opportunity to remember
every day.
I am grateful for that.
Who’s in charge here anyway?
Not us. ♥
Oh, this old world keeps spinning round
It’s a wonder tall trees ain’t layin’ down
There comes a time
Neil Young ; Comes a Time
🙂
It’s still winter with freezing temps in the morning. The simple sight of hoar frost on the grass, windshield, safety banister brings me a deep sense of Awe.
Birds reappearing, returning after a long cold winter. I recently observed a flock of geese overhead & heard them squawking on a very “early” spring day.
Seeing & hearing them gave me pause & put a smile on my face. I shouted a “welcome back”!!
Incredible that they know when to leave & when to return.
🕊️❤️
The shadows are growing shorter too!
I would use a sense of wonder, rather than awe, to describe how I feel. Rewritten, then, “What seemingly ordinary things awaken wonder within me?”
Everything in the natural world, really. The way seeds push up through the soil and become plants. How varying minerals, pressure and time can create a stone with a circle wrapped around it, like the one I have sitting on my desk. Rainbows. The chuckling of a stream over rocks, and the way its music changes with more or less water or the movement of one of those rocks. Eggs transform into birds. Caterpillars flutter away as butterflies and moths. Tadpoles jump into adult frogs.
The alchemy of cooking, too. How living yeast pushes the flour, water and salt into new shapes, and how the oven’s heat bakes it into delicious flavors. The way a touch of salt or acid brings out the flavors in a humble vegetable. Making a soup recipe again and again, with central notes that stay the same and yet subtle differences. How heat caramelizes the sugars in a vegetable, whether it’s an onion or squash or something else.
The way the built world functions thanks to the labor of others, most of the time with enough consistency and quality that I don’t have to think about it. I turn on my tap: Water flows. I flush the toilet: Waste vanishes. I flip a switch: Light blooms or vanishes. I open the mailbox: Letters await.
Wonders everywhere, all around us.
Related to this question, a wonderful list by Ruby McCrory I read yesterday that I plan to add to: https://rubimcgrory.substack.com/p/kinds-of-love-that-arent-romantic.
This morning I read a poem by James Crews in his book Unlocking the Heart: Writing for Mindfulness, Courage, and Self-Compassion. I know it contributed to how I approached this question.
“Prayer to Be Changed”
I ask for just the slightest shift
in my thinking, the kindest sifting
of my busy mind so only wonder
and peace are left behind. So that
as I walk in sleet on this spring morning
I can see even these muddy ruts
made by careless trucks on the forest trail
as harbors of miracle, knowing they will
fill with enough snowmelt and rain
for tadpoles to swim in come summer,
until that sunlit instant when they feel
the flexing of legs in the water beneath them,
and leap out onto the ground, their bodies
having decided, by pure instinct alone,
to be soft and alive in this world.
Thnaks, Barb. I love Ruby’s list!
Beautiful poem, thank you Barb.
Thank you Barb
All beautiful! Thanks for awakening wonder in me, Barb.
Thank you Barb. 🌞💦🌱
Your comments today,
dear Barb,
are a garden of delights . . .
your post,
the poem,
and the link.
I feel completely nourished . . .
thank you. ♥
The first thing that came to mind was my son and daughter-in-law’s dedication to rescuing feral and abandon animals. Their devotion to those animals whose vet bills drain their budget fill me with awe. In perusing my journals for the word “reverence, I found a Morning Meditation from 2023 about tody’s quote which I share below.
Morning Meds July 26 2023 Reverence
17th Century Poet John Milton wrote “Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world.”
The Encarta dictionary defines the noun reverence as respect felt or respect gained. This definition makes Milton’s quote even more profound for me. Milton is reminding me that an attitude of gratitude is like having 3D glasses. It broadens my experience of life and deepens my encounters with creation. It heightens all of my senses. It reminds me to take the “r” out of the word revolution and pray for the evolution of our species.
It tells me to refuse to be tribal. In my small circles of influence, I need to choose to be the peace I seek–own my thoughts, feelings and actions. Live the question: Who am I? It’s much more important than “Who are they?” Ask myself consistently, What do I know for sure, anyway?
Today is always the day…remembering that keeps me on my toes!
Your son and daughter-in-law must have huge hearts. Bless them.
Gratitude
really does produce reverence in our human souls,
dear Carol Ann.
I had always known there was a connection,
but never thought about it
quite that way . . .
thank you. ♥
Carol Ann – I love – what do I know for sure anyway ? Thank you .🙏
I find quite a few things to be awesome.
But if I had to pick one right now, I would say watching birds fly. The way that a Turkey Vulture can soar for hours without flapping its wings, or a Hummingbird darting around at ridiculous speeds,
or a huge flock of Starlings flying in a murmuration.
What amazes me, Charlie, is how those big Canadian Geese can get off the ground and fly. I love hearing their call.
Huge flocks of Starlings flying in a mumuration are absolutely mesmerizing. I can’t even imagine how they do that.
Thank you for reminding me of how awe inspiring, and diverse birds are.
Yes Charlie, the winged beings. So soothing to observe.
Ah,
birds,
dear Charlie . . .
another endless admiration
and reverence
for Magic! 🙂
Charlie, You introduced me to a new word “murmuration”. I definitely seen and heard one but didn’t know what it was called.
You’ll both love this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4f_1_r80RY.
Murmurations
are absolutely incredible . . .
if I see one when I’m driving
I have to pull over,
so enraptured am I. ♥
Thanks, Barb
Mostly, I wake up around 5:30. Therefore, the sunlight enters my room after me. Today, when I stepped into my room, light filled the corner. I was in a rush because I knew that I woke up late. But I love to see the bright morning, full of positivity. Happy Monday to all! ☀
My Ngoc, we woke up roughly the same time this morning.
A big, bold, black-and-white magpie on a distant tree. A blind woman singing while the rest of our song circle harmonized around her. A piping hot latte, rich with foamed milk. Bulbs waiting to erupt into bloom in spring. These are some ordinary sources of awe from the weekend.
Wonderful, Drea. I can see and feel them all.
Drea, Just reading them filled me with awe. It is like sharing your joy.
Right now the thing that is capturing my attention is the way I don’t want to get going, and just want to goof off today. This doesn’t answer today’s question but it is very noticeable to me. I’m going to ignore that feeling for now and get going with my day, which will be fine once I start. Awakening awe in me is my breath. I am using it right now to gain energy and bring positive energy into my body and spirit. For some reason this is causing tears to come up. I accept that and accept that no matter how I show up today, this is my life and this is my spiritual life, and I will show up. I am focusing today on being present. Sending love to all.
Thank you Mary and some love back to you.
Thanks Mary ! I hope you get to goof off ! It’s a good thing .
I goof off in the evening and sometimes during the day. I think it’s relaxing, and I enjoy it too, Antoinette!
Be still and know
Yes! Thank you, Carol Ann.
Love to you too, Mary.
🥰🥰🥰
The sky – it’s never exactly the same, from one moment or day to the next. That there are so many different musical tunes in the world with only a finite number of notes. Dust fairies, my heartbeat and breath and the brain’s electrical system (well, the whole body, really), a walk in a local park; that I’ve seen two russet potatoes in my life that were shaped exactly like a heart; that we all show up here every day to look for or express gratitude in this crazy sad world in order to find joy and hope. That’s AWE-some.
I had never thought of what you said about musical tunes. That’s so interesting. So we create novelty maybe through unique combinations of notes, rhythms, and other sounds. Have a great day, Katrina.
I have Ngoc’s affection.
The list is long …
Falling snow
Resilience of the human spirit
Big weather
Creativity expressed in many ways
Musical performances
Rebirth in Spring
So much more…
Mary Mantei, big weather is stimulating for as long as it doesn’t cause damages to shelter and powerlines.
The moon and all of its many phases 🌑🌒🌓🌔🌕🌖🌗🌘
Seeing a butterfly flutter around 🦋
Making eye contact with a baby and seeing them smile 👶🏼😊
It was the third one, straight up 12, at dusk this evening!
Patti, Your first response about the moon stirred me. I often look at the moon and am reminded that we all see the same moon with no nationality involved.. Then I feel sad because it’s obvious that our country and several other countries want to claim it as real estate.
A long time ago, I heard (or read) that we all look up at the same sky. That one stuck with me.
I love your point of making eye contact with a baby. One of my favorite things to do while grocery shopping — it brings joy to the task.
Anytime I see a baby, I always smile at them and say hello. There’s something about those little miracles of life!