“Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.” -Socrates
Yahoo! Week Nine of the Sizzlin’ Summer Challenge is at your doorstep. This week we are asking you to find and share moments of awe and wonder. Sounds simple enough, but it may give one pause. After all, what does “awe” mean anyway and how might it impact us?
I took the bait and here’s what I found: The word “awe” was first derived from words in Old English and Old Norse that expressed fear and dread, particularly to a divine being. From there, the meaning shifted to dread mixed with respectful fear in the presence of a supreme authority. Fast forward to the 21st Century and awe is most often described as something in which you perceive vastness – whether this be witnessing something physically large like the Grand Canyon, or the vastness one discovers in the presence of someone with immense prestige, or the vastness presented with a complex idea such as relativity. Obviously, the fear associated with a supreme being has taken a back seat.
According to some psychologists, who have now been studying awe in earnest for the past 15 years, moments of awe are often accompanied by less focus on oneself and increased connections and generosity toward others. When we find moments of awe and wonder, our bodies respond. We may experience chills, goosebumps, tears and/or a faster beating heart.
Awe can be transcending. Perhaps you have discovered something in the natural world that is beautiful to you, or a painting or sculpture you can’t walk away from. Or maybe it’s watching someone tackle and meet an athletic endeavor which strikes you as absolutely astounding. Or maybe you have heard or read an individual’s words that are awe-inspiring.
Astronauts who experience Earth from orbit often report feelings of awe and wonder and of being transformed by what they describe as the magic such a perspective brings. This phenomenon is called the “overview effect,” and researchers from the University of Pennsylvania’s Positive Psychology Center are now examining the emotions astronauts commonly recount. Jim Irwin of Apollo 15 became a preacher upon his return; Edgar Mitchell formed the Noetic Institute to research altered states of consciousness; and Apollo 9 astronaut, Russell Schweickart began practicing transcendental meditation and dedicated his life to serving as a volunteer.
Awe may also be terrifying dependent upon one’s circumstances. For example, looking down from a mountain top to the valley below or looking down at Paris or New York City from the Eiffel Tower or the Empire State building may be extremely frightening.
As I jogged up and down the dirt roads in the Mad River Valley this morning, I thought about what I have found to be awe-inspiring in my life. My moments often come from the environment and include hiking on the steep slopes of the Na Pali Coast in Kauai, climbing up and down the Grand Tetons and visiting the Canadian Niagara Falls. Closer to home, the Green Mountains, the Adirondack Mountains and Lake Champlain never cease to provide me with awe and wonder. I am extremely fortunate to be able to see and appreciate these natural wonders in all seasons.
Lastly, I continue to be in awe of all that has changed in the past six months throughout our land as we cope with the pandemic. I am awed by how working parents with young children have pooled their resources to care for their children while striving to address work responsibilities. I am in awe of all that school staff have accomplished in record time to provide online education to our youth. I am in awe of how quickly we all have signed on to do our best to refrain from sharing a potential deadly virus with our neighbors and I am in awe of all that our Vermont leaders have done to proactively keep us safe.
We are excited to see your postings of your awe-inspiring moments of wonder.
See you on the PATH Ahead,
Shevonne, Gillian, Amy and Ashley – the VEHI PATH team