Reflections

Please log in or Create a Profile to post a comment.

  1. Ose
    Ose
    1 month ago

    if awe would be a daily choice of the I, where then is the wonder? Awe to me appears in absence of the I, awe feels as an openness to the wonder of it all, which might appear completely unexpected or by being open to truly sensing the stillness of the mystery of the beyond in both self and the other of whatsoever nature it might be. Someone here recently (?Carol?) described the presence of awe in almost all encounters of her as a little girl when having met Teilhard de Chardin once a week in a park without knowing who he was, who with full awareness and spirit presence made her aware and conveyed to her the mystery of God´s wonders of creation. This most tender, loving and awe inspiring encounter seems to have come to life due to the lived presence of His Love in the priest. So i assume to decide for awe is to decide for openness to experiencing His Love humbly flowering in me, possibly echoed and passed forward in the heart of another.

    1. Anna
      Anna
      1 month ago

      Thank you Ose for this answer.
      Such a mystical thought
      has penetrated my soul gently like a balm, covering all those boring weekly worries that grow more and more, if I leave no room for awe.

    2. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      1 month ago

      Your instincts are pure and wise,
      dear Ose . . .
      I too,
      loved the story of the young girl’s experience with Teilhard de Chardin . . .
      a very brave and forward moving lesson
      learned. ♥

  2. Robin Ann
    Robin Ann
    1 month ago

    All of my senses are possibly delighted!!. I love lilacs and found lilacs growing at our new home. Lots of flowers blooming and flowering trees. Love spring and the awe of it!

  3. sparrow51014
    sparrow
    1 month ago

    I can choose the experience of awe
    just by raising my head
    and looking out the window.
    I think awe comes when we pay attention . . .
    when we notice.

    I feel awe in the morning,
    seeing the forsythia in bloom . . .
    a hedge started with cuttings 12 years ago.
    Awe
    comes unbidden
    when I see a sunset,
    or hear the crashing of ocean waves
    when I’ve been away.
    Awe comes
    when I look at something I’ve created,
    and realize it is beautiful.

    Coming in through the back door of my house yesterday
    I was awestruck
    to see a robin’s nest planted firmly on top of some other empty nests,
    gathered over the years,
    only this one
    had four of the most beautiful, perfect eggs
    nestled in it.
    I could only experience awe
    at the miracle of it on a perfectly ordinary day.
    Later,
    the same day,
    I noticed a phoebe nest
    on top of the pendant light on my front porch . . .
    awe again!
    We had phoebes nesting there for a few years,
    but one year
    the parents both disappeared,
    and I found the little birdlets dead
    inside the nest
    at summer’s end . . .
    it broke my heart.
    For three barren years,
    the pendant remained empty,
    but there are indeed phoebes
    nesting again.
    I feel both honored and blessed
    to be steward of and host to these little birds.
    To me,
    that is awesome.

  4. Barb C
    Barb C
    1 month ago

    This week I got to hear a presentation by a behavioral health specialist (love my agency; they’ve been bringing her as a speaker since early 2020 to share knowledge on how to cope with change, uncertainty, whatever’s coming up). She talked about the importance of feeling awe every now and then. She listed ways we might seek it out through things as simple as looking at a gigantic tree, the sky, the stars, mountains or ocean. Things bigger than ourselves.

    Choosing to contemplate and connect with something bigger than myself gives me space to step back from smallness and fear. Thinking of awe as expansive space for my mind and heart feels freeing, restful, restorative.

    1. Elizabeth H67151
      Elizabeth H
      1 month ago

      “Choosing to contemplate and connect with something bigger than myself gives me space to step back from smallness and fear. Thinking of awe as expansive space for my mind and heart feels freeing, restful, restorative. ” –yes!

  5. Antoinette88615
    Antoinette
    1 month ago

    Everything opens up !

  6. Charlie T
    Charlie T
    1 month ago

    Well, the Word For The Day sums it up pretty well.
    Yes, I’m as guilty as anyone of not wanting to feel the pain, uncertainty, grief, and on and on…
    But what I forget is, if I’m open to all of it, I get the good stuff too. The awe, the love, the feeling of connection, and all of it. Bring it on. Let it all wash over me.

    1. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      1 month ago

      Yes,
      dear Charlie . . .
      it is sort of an ‘all or nothing”
      kind of thing . . . ♥

  7. Linda72766
    Linda
    1 month ago

    I can truly see the person in front of me–their light, their compassion, and their love.

    1. L
      Loc Tran
      1 month ago

      Linda, we often get blinded to one side, especially the negatives.

  8. Cathie
    Cathie
    1 month ago

    When I take the time to really open myself up to awe, communion is experienced. Taking the time and intention to do that daily…. I don’t know – growing a deeper connection to all???

  9. Elizabeth H67151
    Elizabeth H
    1 month ago

    Possibilities for choices in where I direct my attention. Possibilities for more nourishment to get me through the hard stuff in life. Possibilities for more connection with Nature and the Divine Mystery.

  10. Yram
    Yram
    1 month ago

    I am in awe of all the beautiful responses here. Today I will acknowledge my capabilities and be awestruck by what my 80 + years of living has created.

    1. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      1 month ago

      It is truly amazing,
      dear Yram,
      when we think about it,
      especially considering possibilities
      of times we might not have made it. 🙂

  11. Carol Ann Conner
    Carol
    1 month ago

    I looked up the definition of awe on the Internet: “a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder.” I’m going to ponder that for awhile.

    1. Barb C
      Barb C
      1 month ago

      Hmm. I don’t think of fear as part of the mix if I’m feeling awe. Overwhelm, maybe, to go with the wonder and amazement.

      1. Michele
        Michele
        1 month ago

        tornadoes definitely have a sense of awe and fear together…

    2. Cathie
      Cathie
      1 month ago

      I love that definition💕thank you!

  12. pkr29022
    pkr
    1 month ago

    If I choose to find awe in my daily life I realize how blessed & fortunate I am. I also feel awe has an element of surprise to it, so you always don’t know when & where it will find you. I think the “surprise” element is what makes awe so authentic, moving, touching, memorable. ✨
    On a side note I have to say I am in awe this very moment because I was able to find Drea’s Spotify playlist that she compiled in response to the question the other day about music “we are grateful for”.
    Thank you Drea so much. I am in awe that you were able to do this!!! I have a new walking music.🙏🏻
    Thank you kindly dear Drea. 🙏🏻🩵😊

    1. Cathie
      Cathie
      1 month ago

      That surprise element you speak of is maybe why I am not sure I could experience it daily – but maybe taking time to make space for it- you gave me something to think of-thank you

    2. D
      Drea
      1 month ago

      I’m so glad you were able to find and benefit from the playlist! I continue to savor it and everyone’s contributions. I will say that playlist is a reliable source of awe, with both familiar and new songs.

      1. sparrow51014
        sparrow
        1 month ago

        I am now on spotify,
        dear Drea . . .
        can you tell me
        how to find the playlist you made? ♥

        1. Ose
          Ose
          1 month ago

          Dear Sparrow, if it is ok to answer the question, here is the Link Drea posted 5 days ago and is still working –
          https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0VMvjQNZkHenkHCSW1jp07?si=028952bc5a404728&nd=1&dlsi=f1f3d4c6ac5e4c35 Wishing a lovely Sunday to all.

          1. sparrow51014
            sparrow
            1 month ago

            Thank you so very much,
            dear Ose . . .
            I must have missed it. (♥♥♥)

  13. D
    Drea
    1 month ago

    Like Ngoc, I don’t think I can choose to experience awe. And like Joseph suggested, if I can be open to the day without expectations, perhaps awe will come and surprise me. I do think awe contains within it an element of surprise, of delight, and the foundation is presence and openness to experiencing what comes. It is nice to remember that each day might include awe if I am simply present to the possibility.

    1. pkr29022
      pkr
      1 month ago

      Dear Drea, thank you for putting together the gratefulness song playlist on Spotify. I found it earlier today.
      I am in awe with all the great musical pieces!
      Thank you kindly.🩵
      Have a blessed weekend. 🙏🏻✨

      1. D
        Drea
        1 month ago

        You as well, and enjoy everyone’s wonderful music!

  14. Patti
    sunnypatti
    1 month ago

    I think if I choose to be grateful and live with some intention, life will offer the experience of awe. Living this way, I am more aware, I notice more. I’m open to what may unfold today.

    1. L
      Lauryn
      1 month ago

      Exactly! I think its about opening yourself up and being more aware and that puts you in a position to experience awe ..should it come your way..

  15. Ngoc Nguyen
    Ngoc Nguyen
    1 month ago

    I don’t think I can choose to experience awe, but I do believe that I can look for amazement in my life from ordinary things that happen to me as a gift of gratefulness. Happy weekend to everyone.

    1. L
      Loc Tran
      1 month ago

      My Ngoc, your 2nd part builds on perfectly from my answer. It exposes the fact that we’re too agenda consumed.

Subscribe to Grateful Living

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.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Customize your subscription


We're celebrating 25 years with you! 

 

Help us sustain and grow our programs, support our global community, and make Br. David's vision for a more grateful world a reality. 

 

Give $25 today to make the next 25 years possible!

2000 to 2025: Give $25 For Our 25th

Close the CTA