Healing Power of Awe
BGCL Newsletter invites you to heal and transform through slow, intentional living. Each week, take this moment to pause with me and recall what is essential. 💚
Hello friends,
Cold, sunny days have been plentiful this fall, and I have no complaints. The sun sits low in the sky and moves quickly across the horizon as our days continue to get shorter. Mornings turn from darkness to day in a matter of minutes, and the speedy sunsets create intense blends of warm hues until we have returned to dark again.
Whether I am taking in the sunrise with a cup of coffee or driving into the sunset, the brilliant sky forces me to pause and take in the momentary beauty. Sometimes it pulls me into that moment so abruptly that I have to pause to catch my breath. Other times, I am captivated and stare in disbelief. No matter when or where I encounter awe, it grants me a brief pause from the stressors of life and gives me fresh perspective.
Awe occurs is when our expectations are exceeded by something we see or sense in the world around us. When we catch our reflection in a tiny bubble or are sucked into a miniature tornado that swirls down the drain. It is a sudden moment of expansion when when we step out of the ordinary and into a world of mystery. When our mundane lives are turned inside out and we are reminded of the great unknown.
Moments of awe are mind-bending, giving us new perspective on ourselves and life. They can be broad like a view from a mountaintop or small like a hairy caterpillar slinking across a leaf. Awe provides us a profound flash of awareness that we are both insignificant in the universe and interconnected to everything. In that small window, the shape of our world shifts as we soak in an alternative view of our lives.
As we sit in awe, time seems to slow down as we leave our busy minds to re-enter our often forgotten bodies. Being in the the here and now heightens our senses and connects us to our emotions. Time stands still as we take in the smell of fall air, the sounds of the migrating birds, and feel the crisp breeze on our skin. Our senses are the ultimate marker of presence and awareness that we are alive.
When we land in the present, we are called to release our earthly problems and be a part of what surrounds us. We stop entertaining our fears of the future and dwelling on ruminations of the past. Our focus shifts away from solving for our life problems into being fully connected to something greater. And in that moment of stillness, we receive gentle reminder that everything will be okay.
Awe is a wonderful space for us to reconnect and find healing. Here are some thoughts on how to experience more awe in your life:
Seek out new experiences: Awe typically occurs when we step out of our ordinary spaces or actively seek a different perspective. See if awe finds you by switching up an old walking route or trying a brand new hike on the weekend.
Wander with no agenda: Having an agenda takes us out of the present moment. Instead, release expectations and tune into your intuition. Find a route that feels right and awe will most like like find you.
Be curious about the everyday: Awe can be found when we make space for curiosity. Pause to take in everyday moments and try to see them with fresh eyes. Take time to admire the bubbles in a soda or a flickering candle light.
One of my favorite songs to help ground me when I am feeling overwhelmed, Everything is Gonna Be Aliright by Infinity Song. The song always transports me to a space of wonder and helps me to find peace in a chaotic world.
I’d love to hear your perspective: When have your experienced awe in your life? How does it feel when you encounter awe? You can hit reply to share with me directly or leave a comment on the Substack BGCL community page.Â
Thanks for taking time to slow down and be present with me this week. Take care, be kind, and we'll talk soon,
Hillarie