"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."
"In fact, they can even be cultivated, including through paying more attention to the dreams we experience every night. Consider a Sunset 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 of our familiar rhythms that these regular occurrences seem to catch our attention."
Awe arises from noticing everyday moments like sunsets, light on ice, falling leaves, or birds, producing openness and expanded curiosity. Regular experiences of awe correlate with reduced stress, improved well-being, fewer somatic symptoms, and potential benefits in academic outcomes and workplace resilience. Awe can be cultivated by deliberately creating quiet presence and attending to familiar occurrences with fresh attention. Reflecting on dreams offers another avenue to nurture awe, fueling curiosity and creativity. Increased awareness creates a feedback loop that enhances noticing and generates more opportunities for awe. Practicing simple observational habits can strengthen personal resilience and imaginative capacities.
Read at Psychology Today
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