That's Awesome!

[Louanne Learning]

I mean awesome in terms of its earliest definition – that which inspires a feeling of awe.

The word “awe” dates back to around the year 1300, and originally referred to "fear, terror, great reverence."

I’m not sure about the fear aspect, but the current understanding does include great admiration and veneration. Maybe some dread?

What inspires awe in you? It might be a thing, or an event, or a practice, or a person, or just something that happened to you this morning. Please share!

There are no wrong answers!

 

[Louanne Learning]

I’m awed by the fact that as living things we can be aware of what is “not us.” That we are able to detect information from the environment, using our senses, and then use our brain to construct a reality from that.

 

[Louanne Learning]

I am reminded of Einstein's quote:

“There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”

 

[Louanne Learning]

Is there a relationship between awe and gratitude?

 

[Naomasa298]

Awe includes fear, even in modern meaning. Do you remember "shock and awe" tactics in some recent wars?

 

[Louanne Learning]

Awe includes fear, even in modern meaning. Do you remember "shock and awe" tactics in some recent wars?

That probably has its roots in a religious meaning. The greatest awe, after all, used to be reserved for God, who it was said we should fear.

But, if I consider what stirs up awe in me, it doesn't stir up fear with it.

 

[Louanne Learning]

But, if I consider what stirs up awe in me, it doesn't stir up fear with it.

So, then, thinking of the emotions that the recognition of this fact stirs up in me:

I’m awed by the fact that as living things we can be aware of what is “not us.” That we are able to detect information from the environment, using our senses, and then use our brain to construct a reality from that.

Fear? I don’t think so. (Fear of what?) Instead - a reverence for Nature, and what it has produced. A call to make the most of this precious life. I think I want to define awe by its positives, not by negatives. I belong to Nature, and it seems a rare privilege.

 

[Naomasa298]

My point is that it is still used in that context, that meaning hasn't disappeared.

 

[Also]

Interspecies friendships and caretaking awe me.

 

[Louanne Learning]

Interspecies friendships

I love watching the videos of dogs and cats that are best friends, always cuddling!

caretaking

My husband had MS (he died in 2021) and I was his caregiver before he died. It was incredibly demanding, but incredibly rewarding. It brought us so very close together, a connection I couldn't even put into words. It still amazes me all the lessons we learned from that.

 

[Also]

My husband had MS (he died in 2021) and I was his caregiver before he died. It was incredibly demanding, but incredibly rewarding. It brought us so very close together, a connection I couldn't even put into words. It still amazes me all the lessons we learned from that.