Quarantine Talk (Part 2): Finding Awe in Everyday Life
I want to talk about awe. The Google-r machine defines awe as “a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder.”
When was the last time you were in awe?
I am in awe a lot. I wasn’t always this way. I used to think I was too smart for awe. I already knew everything I needed to know about anything so what was there to be in awe about? (I wish this was in reference to my teenage years but it’s not…).
I think to find yourself in awe of something you need to make it a habit to be open-minded. I also think you need to cultivate your inner curiosity in order to truly be in awe. Close-mindedness and a lack of curiosity are awe-deterrent.
Lately, I’ve been noticing how blue the sky is. I find myself so in awe, I want to cry. How can the color blue be that blue? How have I never noticed this before? Maybe I have. I’m sure I have. But as I sit in awe at how beautiful our planet is I also simultaneously find myself in a pure state of gratitude. The One who created this awe-inspiring blue sky is the same One who created me. Ipso facto I’m awe-worthy just like the blue sky. Wow.
Another thing I’m in awe of is the fact that I’m listening to Willie Nelson Essentials on Apple Music and I’m hearing his song “Blue Skies” for the first time ever in my life as I write this out. Again, awe-struck. WOW.
Quarantine hasn’t been easy. I’ve even been on the “easy” side of quarantine. I’m not an essential worker and I’m not on the front lines. I’m employed and healthy and able to stay safely at home. The challenge, ok maybe more of the blessing, of it all is that I’ve noticed how empty my “awe bucket” has been pre-quarantine. Was I in awe of anything? Where would I find awe? Was it a once a week thing?
Amongst other imbalances that I’ve noticed about life before quarantine, I’m now in awe of how infrequently I was in awe!
I think all good things come out of that deep reverence. Fear and wonder are two motivating forces that have inspired our world’s greatest leaders and change-makers. Could it really be that awe is the first stepping stone on the path of leadership? If you can’t find yourself in awe, can you do awe-worthy work?
As you go “back to normal” and make the transition from stay-at-home to safe-at-home, I hope that you start to (or continue to) notice these awe-inspiring moments in your own life. Maybe something as simple as checking out that blue sky up above or maybe the reflection in your own mirror. I hope you can be in awe of something good today.
Thanks for letting me get a little deep with you all on this rainy, hopefully final, quarantine day.
Love,
Kelsey