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I remember when I first saw a steep sided fjord with waterfalls descending and ethereal wisps of cloud draped above. It was so immense I stopped being me and this body was just present and part of this experience and felt like a child anew.
I love being a tiny part of a much bigger thing, I love the beauty of what I am seeing, the wonder of it all, and I always experience a feeling of gratitude. But what do I discover from it? That it is easy to get carried away by the business of life and we should take the time to stop and stare and feel awe so that we can experience all these wonderful feelings. That the world is much bigger than we are and our worries and concerns can pale into insignificance against the world’s marvels.
It is important to pay attention. I have a tendency to race through life, chores, etc. When I slow down and look around me–really look–I am in awe of everything around me.
That we are part of something bigger. What comes to mind first when I think of moments of awe is that feeling you get when you hike to the summit of a mountain and then take in the views. Or when I’m flying 35000 feet above ground and look down at the vast landscape below. Or when I’m looking out at the ocean and know it’s much more massive than what I can see with my eyes. Or when I’m camping and stare up at the sky seeing hundreds of stars I can’t normally see from my home. Those are moments of awe. They bring peace and comfort.
That I, that we, are part of something great and wonderful. That there are limits to what we can grasp and understand. That there is beauty and order in the world, despite our momentary, passing perceptions.
Most probably, like Kevin and Mike mentioned already, I have missed so many moments of awe. The moments when I was aware enough, they were deeply touching, there was stillness, great beauty and a sense of oneness and wonder. And there was deep gratitude to experience it.
I have learned that you can’t make someone else experience awe in the same way you do. I was moved to tears by a double rainbow over our house. I made my husband come stand with me to see it’s splendor. His response was something to the effect of, “I don’t think we are done with these storms yet. We better get the cars moved in.”
I enjoy watching sunrises and sunsets. Something about their beauty make me reflect on the blessings I have, and blessings I have yet to receive. It’s humbling.
In moments of awe, I feel a connectedness to all things, transcendence–part of a vast web of creation. The opportunities for these moments are everywhere. Like Kevin, I can only imagine how many I’ve missed.
The question itself resonates with me because I know I don’t make the effort to have moments of awe. I’m discovering my own lack of attention to the life around me.
In moments of awe I have learned the value of silence.
There are moments that are so spectacular that words would spoil them. Whether they are moments of deep grief, or supreme delight, there comes a time when we just sit and absord what is happening.
I’ve often wondered about the relationship between “fear and awe.” The mindset that comes from use of the word “awe” is very different from the mindset that comes from use of the word “fear.” Scripture often admonishes us to “fear the Lord” when it seems to me that it would be better translated to say “trust in the Lord–be in awe.” Life has taught me that fear clings and awe lets go. I leave you with a quote from Thomas Merton: “For the world and time are the dance of the Lord [Life-giver] in emptiness. The silence of the spheres is the music of a wedding feast. The more we persist in misunderstanding the phenomena of life, the more we analyze them out into strange finalities and complex purposes of our own, the more we involve ourselves in sadness, absurdity and despair. But it does not matter much, because no despair of ours can alter the reality of things; or stain the joy of the cosmic dance which is always there. Indeed, we are in the midst of it, and it is in the midst of us, for it beats in our very blood, whether we want it to or not.”
During a cruise a couple of years ago, we went out on the upper deck at night to gaze at the heavens. What I saw was the thousands and thousands of stars and planets in the sky not obscured by artificial light. I found this a very touching, moving experience as it made me realize and contemplate how minuscule we are compared to the universe yet we are part of it.
I recognize the limitations of my Humanity and the blessing of the beauty, admiration, or personal sacrifice that has inspired a sense of awe in me. They are great moments that force us to pause and look outside of ourselves at the beauty and marvels of nature or people and offer God gratitude for recognizing how it makes me feel and take time out to be grateful for it.
Certainly that being overpowered by something in the present can shake me out of the self-involved fog I tend to walk around in. Like an energetic forcefield I seem to project around me so as to impose my need for order and sense on my lived experience. I would say (if asked) that I don’t like surprises. So the unexpected overwhelm from a sudden encounter is, alas, an indication that this practice of mine has consequences. Of late I would have to admit my sense of awe has been a rather negative thing, a quaking at the foundations of my faith in my fellow human beings to do the right thing. In short, I discover my limitations, the boundaries, the edges.
Moments of awe fill me with so much joy and, as others have said, we need to look out for them, keep our eyes open. At the moment I am filled with awe by a white climbing rose that is covering an archway in my garden. 17 blooms were counted on just one branch of it and when the sky is blue the white flowers against the blue background is a stunning sight. Another awe-inspiring sight for me at the moment is all the young birds being brought to my garden by their parents. New life is always awe-inspiring and I am looking forward to welcoming my second grand-daughter into the world this weekend. That is really awesome 😊
I have a lemon tree I started from seed in October 2018! It will still be a long while before I taste any, Lol, but it’s going strong. I also have a mandarin orange tree and an orange tree that I purchased. They are growing quickly, but it will still be a year or two. I’m so glad we share this pursuit!
This is my first lemon tree so I’m not sure how much longer before I can pick them. They are still green and maybe the size of a kumquat right now. Florida is just beginning our rainy season so I’m hoping maybe by end of summer. I can’t wait to make lemoncello and fresh lemonade.
Moments of awe have shown me peace, love, light, unity… and these moments happen all the time. It’s just a matter of paying attention. And I, like Kevin, wonder how many I’ve missed along the way. But the good news is that God offers miracles all the time, so there are plenty more to come!
Moments of awe, when and as they come, are to be cherished, celebrated, and received with joy and wonder. So many factors determine when and if they will even be recognized. I sometimes wonder how many I may have missed for lack of attention.
Kevin~~~I am sure I have missed and correspondingly not recognized awe simply by not being in the moment. Your comment resonates with me this morning and is a very poignant reminder for me to be awe struck with wonder of the simple things in life that cast beauty on life.
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I remember when I first saw a steep sided fjord with waterfalls descending and ethereal wisps of cloud draped above. It was so immense I stopped being me and this body was just present and part of this experience and felt like a child anew.
. . . That some moments are better than others
The power of AWE…they myriads it contains in its knowing, seeing, being…
A realization that I am part of a much, much bigger and more significant happening than my senses allow me to perceive.
I love being a tiny part of a much bigger thing, I love the beauty of what I am seeing, the wonder of it all, and I always experience a feeling of gratitude. But what do I discover from it? That it is easy to get carried away by the business of life and we should take the time to stop and stare and feel awe so that we can experience all these wonderful feelings. That the world is much bigger than we are and our worries and concerns can pale into insignificance against the world’s marvels.
Just about anything is possible.
There are miracles all around us if we are open to seeing them.
It is important to pay attention. I have a tendency to race through life, chores, etc. When I slow down and look around me–really look–I am in awe of everything around me.
That we are part of something bigger. What comes to mind first when I think of moments of awe is that feeling you get when you hike to the summit of a mountain and then take in the views. Or when I’m flying 35000 feet above ground and look down at the vast landscape below. Or when I’m looking out at the ocean and know it’s much more massive than what I can see with my eyes. Or when I’m camping and stare up at the sky seeing hundreds of stars I can’t normally see from my home. Those are moments of awe. They bring peace and comfort.
That I, that we, are part of something great and wonderful. That there are limits to what we can grasp and understand. That there is beauty and order in the world, despite our momentary, passing perceptions.
Openness~ Peace and oneness. Connection without a care or self conscious thought. Lighness of being.
Most probably, like Kevin and Mike mentioned already, I have missed so many moments of awe. The moments when I was aware enough, they were deeply touching, there was stillness, great beauty and a sense of oneness and wonder. And there was deep gratitude to experience it.
I have learned that you can’t make someone else experience awe in the same way you do. I was moved to tears by a double rainbow over our house. I made my husband come stand with me to see it’s splendor. His response was something to the effect of, “I don’t think we are done with these storms yet. We better get the cars moved in.”
Lol.
Your husband is like that, TOO? 😀
…..takes my breath away…..
I enjoy watching sunrises and sunsets. Something about their beauty make me reflect on the blessings I have, and blessings I have yet to receive. It’s humbling.
In moments of awe, I feel a connectedness to all things, transcendence–part of a vast web of creation. The opportunities for these moments are everywhere. Like Kevin, I can only imagine how many I’ve missed.
The question itself resonates with me because I know I don’t make the effort to have moments of awe. I’m discovering my own lack of attention to the life around me.
I’ve learned that awe is possible everywhere if I’m aware. (Just saw “awe” in “aware”….”awe-ware”!)
I like that, Patricia. Very witty!
. . . a greater sense of the Divine . . .
In moments of awe I have learned the value of silence.
There are moments that are so spectacular that words would spoil them. Whether they are moments of deep grief, or supreme delight, there comes a time when we just sit and absord what is happening.
I’ve often wondered about the relationship between “fear and awe.” The mindset that comes from use of the word “awe” is very different from the mindset that comes from use of the word “fear.” Scripture often admonishes us to “fear the Lord” when it seems to me that it would be better translated to say “trust in the Lord–be in awe.” Life has taught me that fear clings and awe lets go. I leave you with a quote from Thomas Merton: “For the world and time are the dance of the Lord [Life-giver] in emptiness. The silence of the spheres is the music of a wedding feast. The more we persist in misunderstanding the phenomena of life, the more we analyze them out into strange finalities and complex purposes of our own, the more we involve ourselves in sadness, absurdity and despair. But it does not matter much, because no despair of ours can alter the reality of things; or stain the joy of the cosmic dance which is always there. Indeed, we are in the midst of it, and it is in the midst of us, for it beats in our very blood, whether we want it to or not.”
During a cruise a couple of years ago, we went out on the upper deck at night to gaze at the heavens. What I saw was the thousands and thousands of stars and planets in the sky not obscured by artificial light. I found this a very touching, moving experience as it made me realize and contemplate how minuscule we are compared to the universe yet we are part of it.
I recognize the limitations of my Humanity and the blessing of the beauty, admiration, or personal sacrifice that has inspired a sense of awe in me. They are great moments that force us to pause and look outside of ourselves at the beauty and marvels of nature or people and offer God gratitude for recognizing how it makes me feel and take time out to be grateful for it.
Certainly that being overpowered by something in the present can shake me out of the self-involved fog I tend to walk around in. Like an energetic forcefield I seem to project around me so as to impose my need for order and sense on my lived experience. I would say (if asked) that I don’t like surprises. So the unexpected overwhelm from a sudden encounter is, alas, an indication that this practice of mine has consequences. Of late I would have to admit my sense of awe has been a rather negative thing, a quaking at the foundations of my faith in my fellow human beings to do the right thing. In short, I discover my limitations, the boundaries, the edges.
Thank you. What you said sounds much like myself
Moments of awe fill me with so much joy and, as others have said, we need to look out for them, keep our eyes open. At the moment I am filled with awe by a white climbing rose that is covering an archway in my garden. 17 blooms were counted on just one branch of it and when the sky is blue the white flowers against the blue background is a stunning sight. Another awe-inspiring sight for me at the moment is all the young birds being brought to my garden by their parents. New life is always awe-inspiring and I am looking forward to welcoming my second grand-daughter into the world this weekend. That is really awesome 😊
That is awesome! (both!)Thank you for sharing.
If we stop and look, moments of awe are all around us. We just need to open our eyes and enjoy.
What I have discovered from moments of awe is watching both my pineapple and lemon tree grow – amazing. I can’t wait to taste them:)
I have a lemon tree I started from seed in October 2018! It will still be a long while before I taste any, Lol, but it’s going strong. I also have a mandarin orange tree and an orange tree that I purchased. They are growing quickly, but it will still be a year or two. I’m so glad we share this pursuit!
This is my first lemon tree so I’m not sure how much longer before I can pick them. They are still green and maybe the size of a kumquat right now. Florida is just beginning our rainy season so I’m hoping maybe by end of summer. I can’t wait to make lemoncello and fresh lemonade.
I have heard they come ripe in winter, Michele. You’ll need to be patient. 🙂
Moments of awe have shown me peace, love, light, unity… and these moments happen all the time. It’s just a matter of paying attention. And I, like Kevin, wonder how many I’ve missed along the way. But the good news is that God offers miracles all the time, so there are plenty more to come!
Moments of awe, when and as they come, are to be cherished, celebrated, and received with joy and wonder. So many factors determine when and if they will even be recognized. I sometimes wonder how many I may have missed for lack of attention.
Kevin~~~I am sure I have missed and correspondingly not recognized awe simply by not being in the moment. Your comment resonates with me this morning and is a very poignant reminder for me to be awe struck with wonder of the simple things in life that cast beauty on life.