In Awe of Awe; why it Helps Emotional Resilience.

My 2 year old son discovered butterflies one day on a stroll. He watched them with intense focus as they fluttered from flower to flower. Their flight and movement captivating his attention entirely. "Flutterfly" he repeated over and over as he watched and wondered.

For me, his response to this simple beauty is the embodiment of awe! His absolute absorption in the wonder of something beyond himself. Something perhaps that adults might see as ordinary. Indeed in the busyness of adult life, awe is an emotion we might have left somewhere in our childhood.

Why does awe matter? 

Research suggests that the experience of awe can enhance generosity, helpfulness,  life satisfaction as well as generating feelings of humility, connectedness and joy. It is also associated with an expanded sense of time while connecting us deeply to the present moment. All of which results in improved mental and emotional health and reduced stress. Awe is well….Awesome!

What is awe?

Awe is the stirring emotion that is felt in the presence of something that changes our perception of the world. It is the feeling of inspiration or wonder in response to a moment or experience that we feel is bigger or greater than us. It is a humbling experience often changing our perception of ourselves in relation to our world.

As extraordinary as this sounds, awe can be found in the simplest of moments. 

It is often felt in nature, the view from a mountain top, the vastness of the ocean, or in the wonder of a murmeration of birds

It is the sense of flow of a beautiful piece of music, or the appreciation of a piece of art. Or in the stirring words of a great writer or orator.

It can be found in a heartfelt prayer or connection to spirit. In a moments awareness of the sacredness of life. New parents often experience this feeling after the birth of a baby. It can be felt in the simplest of human interactions and in the intimacy of deep connectedness with another.

Finding your awe. 

How we connect to awe is an individual experience, but here are some suggestions for leaning into this powerful sensation.

Being outside can induce awe. Take some time to watch a sunrise or sunset, or take a look at the stars or the full moon. Check how you feel in relation to these celestial bodies that are so visible yet so far from us.

Listen to a piece of music that takes you outside of yourself. Let it take you on its journey for a moment. Or listen to a speech or story that invokes the feeling of greatness or hope. Tune into how your body feels when listening.

Find the beauty, even in the everyday mundane things there is something to appreciate. Whether that's the smell of a fresh cup of coffee, or the stillness after rain. Allow yourself to slow down and appreciate the simple things.

Human connection is difficult in these times of social distancing. But the simple interaction of a shared smile with a stranger can induce a sense of shared experience or connectedness. The best part of this is that the other person also benefits.

The memory or image of something that inspired awe in the past can be enough to reignite the feeling. Close your eyes and remember a time when you felt the sensation of awe. Remember the details if possible, the sounds, the smells the colours. Often our brain doesn't recognise the difference between the memory or the original experience and they can be felt with similar intensity. This may be the only opportunity for lockdown travelling! So take yourself off somewhere awe inspiring.

Children are awe experts. Spending time with a child can reconnect us to that childlike wonder and curiosity. Or imagine for a moment how something might look through a child's eyes.

My son is now 14, "flutterflys" are no longer as awe inspiring as they were when he was 2. But every now and then I tell him this story and we smile about it. The shared experience of this joyful memory still offers us both that wonderful sense of awe.