Disclosure: There are some affiliate links below, and I may receive commissions for purchases made through the links in the post. However, these are products I highly recommend. I won’t list anything I haven’t tried and found personally useful.

The total eclipse of 2024 in the Midwest U.S. was upon us, and excited though I was to see it, I was more excited to squeeze into the back seat with my grandkids on what I knew would be a memorable road trip. With my son and daughter-in-law navigating the way, we headed to Missouri from central Iowa.

After half a day of driving, a night in St. Charles, and a morning of hunting down a good place to lay in the grass, we found our spot on the courthouse lawn in Jackson, MO. There was a celebratory atmosphere. Vendors offered grilled food, a musician sang in the background and people mulled around, chatting while monitoring the sky.

An hour before the main event, the sun pierced through the bright sky like a small bead. With eclipse glasses, I could see the moon edging its way into the sun's field. Children, parents, and grandparents mingled as we continued our surveillance. The light around us remained normal.

The sun beamed like a small bead in the sky an hour before the event. With eclipse glasses, I could see the moon edging its way into the sun's field. Children, parents, and grandparents mingled as we continued our surveillance. The light around us remained normal.

Moments before the moon shifted into place, the winds swirled up, the temperature dropped, and an otherworldly darkness began. The crowd went silent as we collectively held our breath.

At exactly 1:57, we all exhaled as we looked up freely at the sunlight's halo around the moon. Applause began softly rising into a crescendo as we all whooped with delight.

At that moment, I felt the sweet spot of awe—of being a small part of something expansive and mysterious, comforted in the wonder of the universe and my tiny place in it.

As we headed home—and for days since—the feeling of awe and its impact stayed with me. I realized that I don't take the time to recognize the awe in my life too often, nor do I understand its value. Here, I explore what awe is, why it matters, and how to recognize it when it comes your way.

Understanding Awe and Its Impact

Merriam-Webster defines the noun awe as "an emotion variously combining dread, veneration, and wonder that is inspired by authority or by the sacred or sublime." I think of awe as a heightened emotion, the feeling of wonder and delight in the face of beauty, like being overwhelmed at the grandeur of a natural space.

In an article at Big Think, scientists who study awe and its merits point to astronauts as an example, travelers who observe the enormity of space and marvel at its presence. It's that moment when you acknowledge the vastness of something and are changed by it that makes awe so powerful.

Scientists have found that if you are aware of awe and feel it frequently, benefits include an improved mood, a decreased sense of materialism, and an increased awareness of humility.

But you need not go so far afield as the cosmos to experience awe. Opportunities exist all around you. Here are six ideas to bring more awe into your life.

Ideas to Awe You

1.      From art into awe. Most of us know that art, in all its mediums, provides us with pleasure and purpose. It’s also a profound source for engaging with awe. Especially in dark times, rediscovering that people are still creating art reminds you of hope. Witnessing people who remain inspired to create, especially in group settings like an orchestra or theatre event, demonstrates our ability to align for the greater whole.

2.      Slow down and feel awe in nature. You are a biological part of the earth and all life around you. Take time to be with nature on a walk, in a park, or near a body of water. All the while, take note of the intricacies of the life around you and your presence in it.   

3.      Move in awe. Dance to music, take a movement class with others, or exercise to a workout video. Pay attention to what your body can do, even if limited. You can breathe and feel the muscles of your body as they fire together in complex movement.

4.      Experience awe vicariously. Ask your friends and family to share moments they have felt awe. Hearing stories of others will give you ideas and lift your spirits in the awe around you.

5.      Learn for awe. Learn something new in a small bite or as part of a larger project. New subjects and insights expand how you see the world and your ability to engage with it. Feel the awe in all there is to learn.

6.      Gratitude in awe. Make a one-day exercise of listing reasons you are grateful. In recognizing what makes you grateful, you can catapult to the awe of how much brings you contentment and joy. Even when things are tough, you'll likely be surprised (and awed) by all that is present that makes you feel grateful.

Awe Leads to More Awe

Before the eclipse, I hadn't given much thought to experiencing awe. It was just an emotion I'd been fortunate to feel occasionally. I won't be so dismissive of awe going forward.

If you want to be in awe of your life, slow down and recognize the extraordinary experiences that take your breath away. It's an avalanche of emotion that will enrich you now and compound with benefits into the future of your life story.

Sherry is the founder of Storied Gifts a personal publishing service of family and company histories. She and her team help clients curate and craft their stories into books. When not writing or interviewing, Sherry spends loads of time with her grandchildren and lives in Des Moines, Iowa.

STORIED GIFTS SHOP

Need a beautiful infusion of inspiration for your storied life? Please check out the Storied Gifts Shop where the theme is Words of Encouragement.

The shop is a mother and daughter venture for Sherry and Alexandra Borzo of Content In Motion. They both work to help their client's stories sing. The shop is their effort to inspire a focus on healthy minds for everyone through positive thought.