Awwwwwwe

A life of wonder might include a buffet of well-being gifts, such as physical health and a sense of interconnectedness with the world and others.  It’s something many of us want more of in our lives but aren’t even sure when we are experiencing it. 

So, what the heck is it?  One definition may be that it is that sense, at least for a moment, when your head can’t wrap itself around something.  In awe-ness, you are aware that you are experiencing something that you don’t understand. As if it is this momentary short circuity of your understanding of your world in response to something extraordinary.

Einstein famously said, “He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead.” Maybe a bit much for some, but it does highlight how awe is very different from other positive emotions. Most positive emotions are approach oriented. Our instinct is to engage with and move toward whatever is evoking these positive emotions. Awe is not – at least not physically. Because people are more likely to stop moving when they feel awe. While our minds may be very active, the body does not show signs of activation during an experience of awe.

So, this thing we call awe is quite subjective.  People generally agree they want more of it in their lives but are not quite sure if/when they experience it.  Maybe one way to find more awe is to pay attention to the things you rarely pay attention to…..and then look further away. Break out of your normal routines and observe, truly observe, what is going on around you.  Who knows.  You may stumble on something that evokes awe and wonder in you.