Make Room for Magic by Harnessing the Power of Awe |
The sparkle of light refracted on an icy lake; the last instant of a brilliant sunset—these moments can elicit feelings of awe and wonder. Watching a golden leaf twirl to the ground or a tiny bird observe us from a fence post can bring us sensations of openness, expansion, and even greater curiosity about the world around us.
Experiences of awe and wonder offer surprising benefits in our lives, including, perhaps, better academic outcomes and increased workplace resilience. Monroy and team found in a longitudinal study during the COVID-19 pandemic that people who experienced awe on a daily basis showed reduced stress and an increased sense of well-being, as well as a reduction in some somatic health symptoms.
Within the context of our busy lives, feelings of awe can be seen as rare, chance moments, but perhaps they are not quite so rare as we might expect. In fact, they can even be cultivated, including through paying more attention to the dreams we experience every night.
Everyone seems to have a vacation photo of a sunset. It is a curious fact, as we can all see a sunset every day if we choose to. And yet, it is only when we step out........