Awesome! A word we use so casually that it seems to have lost its original meaning and power. Remember what ‘awe’ means? A feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder. Sometimes we’re so caught up with our lives that we forget to feel awe – to stop and marvel at life. Today, I’m inviting you to take an awe walk.
A heightened state of awareness comes when we look, and then look again, and then relax into whatever situation we are in. When we have a capacity for fascination with simple things, we are able to sit peacefully for hours on a park bench, or in an airport, engrossed by the different gaits and gestures of people as they walk, talk, and stand. We develop the ability to be patient as we stand in line at the grocery store because we have the ability to look with fascination and wonder at all that surrounds us. -Charlotte Davis Kasl
Could your life be more awesome? Find out by taking the Awe Quiz on Berkley’s Greater Good in Action website.
Here are some samples of my awe pictures:
#FridayReflections
If you are new to Friday Reflections, here’s what it’s about. It’s the end of the week, you’re probably exhausted with work, and all you want to do is sit back, put your feet up, sip on some fancy cocktail or wine, and write away. Sanch of Living My Imperfect Life and Everyday Gyaan give you writing prompts and all you have to do is choose any one of those prompts to blog about and link up between Friday and Monday. After you link up, be sure to spread the love by visiting other bloggers who have linked up too.
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Don’t forget to come back on Monday and vote for your favorite post!
Prompts for 5 May 2017
1. Thing you most wish you were great at
2. Imagine you had to parent yourself as a child. What would it be like? Get as creative as you can!
3. Cheating partners – forgive or flick away?
4. “You must go on adventures to find out where you truly belong.” – Sue Fitzmaurice. Use this quote in your post or as an inspiration for one
5. Picture Prompt (credit: Living my Imperfect Life)
Awwwwww… Thank you Corinne! Such a great reminder. It’s such a simple thing yet so important. ~Kathy
It was written as a reminder to myself, Kathy! 😉
Such a lovely exercise in mindfulness.Our mind gets so jumbled up we forget important stuff!
The now that’s what is important.Thinking about this.
It’s the simplest thing to do, Amrita, but a powerful mindfulness exercise.
I don’t necessarily take “awe walks” but I do look out the window when I ride in a car or on city buses. I will notice light and shadow, flowers, and other things that interest me. When walking, I listen to bird song. I will have to try your breathing exercise when I walk – sometimes I’m too concentrated on sidewalk cracks, as I’ve tripped and fallen a couple of times!
Awareness is what’s important, Alana. From reading your blog I know that you really take in everything around you.
I loved this lesson in mindfulness. Walking without being mindful of your surroundings or while carrying the baggage of all your worries defeats the purpose. I like how you go about it – step by step.
I agree we use this word ‘awesome’ too casually these days. It used to convey such wonder.
Hi Corinne. Lovely post. This is something I need to work on! I’m not good at “doing nothing” yet I live a few minutes from the beach with the most *awesome* panorama of the Indian Ocean! Next Chapter of my cancer journey after a break.
Hi Corinne what a lovely post and a great reminder to really take in our surroundings when we walk. I must try to get back to Friday Reflections it has been too long.
I know what you mean when you say take and AWE walk – I did so recently in Fort Kochi where I just listened to the waves, seashells tinkling and watched the rolling of the waves; got my feet wet, chased my shoe as it bobbed off with the waves….. Quite a morning I had there!!
Beautifully written and made me smile in peace.
BTW I think I corresponded my post to some other prompts – eeps!!! Shall go and change it!!
What a coincedence! I yesterday nyt decided to remind myself to be ‘Mindful’ as much as I can. Since morning I have been trying it out & its been a gr8 day.
Used to take such Awe walks. Havent been doing that since a long time. Will surely get out time for that now.
I love this – saving to remind me to do it more often!
I find it easy to do this when we’re hiking someone, but less so in the every day. Something to work on.
I love this! Personally, I cannot wait until the weather here improves a bit so that I can get myself and the kids out on some walks. I feel that in a world full of screen time, my kiddos need awe walks just as much as I do!
As always, your post reminded me of absorbing the beauty and “awe” that surrounds us in every aspect of the life 🙂
Truly awesome pictures Corinne. YOu are right about stopping and staring to take in the awe. There’s awesomeness in almost everything we see…..We just have to become aware of looking for it.