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This week I’m vacationing on Beaver Island in Lake Michigan, and I’m in awe.
I’m in awe of the island’s history, its timelessness, its beauty, its butterflies, its snakes, its beaches, its sunrises, and its every-stranger-is-a-friend lifestyle. And while, of course, I’m grateful to be here, gratitude never galvanizes the way awe does. Awe jolts us out of our lackluster routine! Being gobsmacked by the world helps us see things in a new light. According to the dictionary, awe induces “feelings of reverential respect, mixed with fear or wonder.” In awe, we are amazed and surprised. But I want to be amazed and surprised every day! I want to experience jaw-dropping, eye-widening, eyebrow-raising, inhaling moments daily, even when I’m not on vacation. We can! And research shows that we should. Awe:
So, what evokes awe (other than being on vacation)? Experiences outside of our routine that engender feelings of connectedness and a sense of being part of something greater. For example, puppies, babies, art, music, breathtaking vistas, towering trees, dazzling stars, beautiful architecture, witnessing bravery or goodwill, viewing inspiring movies, listening to moving speeches, watching Olympians in action. Feeling wonderstruck is like moving from a microscope to a telescope, marveling at the vastness of life. So, how do we trigger awe? Deliberately.
Gratitude is an expectation. Awe is an experience! “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” ~ Albert Einstein © 2021. Ann Tardy and Mentor Lead. www.mentorlead.com |