"Let me keep my mind on what matters, which is my work, which is mostly standing still and learning to be astonished." ~ Mary Oliver

Have you noticed recent discussions in the news about the importance of "awe" in our lives? In fact, some research studies have suggested that individuals who report more awe tend to be happier and perceive less stress. As I started to see more and more references to awe, I began to consider that perhaps this new interest in awe relates to our reemergence from our COVID-cloistered lives of the past few years. Are we hungry for ways to cultivate awe, mindfulness, and reconnection? Are we seeking new ways of navigating the world with a bit more wonder?

Awe can be defined as a feeling of wonder, amazement, or reverence experienced in response to natural beauty, art, music, or experiences that evoke a sense of transcendence. Mindfulness refers to a state of present-moment awareness -- enhanced by a sense of curiosity and non-judgmental observation. Awe and mindfulness are synergistic, and postively build upon eachother. The good news is that we can cultivate both mindfulness and awe with intentional practice.

Do you want to experience more awe and mindfulness in your life?

Here are a few ways to start:

• Get outside -- take a walk in nature, or around your block. Pay attention to the temperature, sights, sounds, and smells.
• Practice gratitude -- lower the bar on what you are grateful for -- consider the simple things, not the grand celebratory events.
• Be curious -- regain the curiosity of childhood by finding wonder in everyday experiences.
• Observe deeply -- then playfully create -- write, draw, or make music from your observations.

Wishing you moments of awe and mindfulness,