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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.
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.
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. ♥
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!
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.
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.
“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!
Everything opens up !
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.
Yes,
dear Charlie . . .
it is sort of an ‘all or nothing”
kind of thing . . . ♥
I can truly see the person in front of me–their light, their compassion, and their love.
Linda, we often get blinded to one side, especially the negatives.
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???
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.
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.
It is truly amazing,
dear Yram,
when we think about it,
especially considering possibilities
of times we might not have made it. 🙂
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.
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.
tornadoes definitely have a sense of awe and fear together…
I love that definition💕thank you!
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. 🙏🏻🩵😊
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
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.
I am now on spotify,
dear Drea . . .
can you tell me
how to find the playlist you made? ♥
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.
Thank you so very much,
dear Ose . . .
I must have missed it. (♥♥♥)
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.
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. 🙏🏻✨
You as well, and enjoy everyone’s wonderful music!
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.
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..
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.
My Ngoc, your 2nd part builds on perfectly from my answer. It exposes the fact that we’re too agenda consumed.