The Power of Wonder & Awe ~ Three Thoughts for Thursday ~ May 2025

~ the power of wonder and awe ~

You may have noticed that I especially love sunsets and sunrises. These quiet moments of color and beauty strike me in a way that induces awe. Nature—the first blooms of spring, the change of a caterpillar into a butterfly, the first snow, a clear night sky full of stars—brings wonder and awe. Observing my kids, their observations, their language, their growth, their wonder, all cause me to pause, astounded, joyful, amazed. 

Something I have absolutely loved each step of the way on this parenthood journey has been the opportunity to see the world through the eyes of my children. Too often, I find myself rushing, and rushing my kids, too, trying to hurry them, trying to get them to catch up with my pace. When I am willing, when I am flexible and present, at my best, however, I love how they slow me down. I love the opportunity to look at a leaf or a flower or a rock as if it is a treasure – because it is a treasure!  

Having kids and taking the time to observe the world through their eyes, to see things I’ve come to take for granted, as new again by stepping into their shoes is such an amazing gift. Seeing the world again through a sense of wonder and deep appreciation is exhilarating, exciting, magnificent! 

I recently had the opportunity to go flying! So many moments of awe! As the passenger, how incredible to see the beauty of the earth, specifically the San Jan Islands, from this vantage point. Dacher Keltner, in his book Awe, featured below, notes that experiences of awe often include both feeling small and feeling a part of something bigger. The vastness and grandeur were breathtaking! Then I had the chance to fly the plane myself, and wow, absolute exhilaration and amazement! What a wonder to have the technology to soar above, to defy gravity for a time; phenomenal and awe-inspiring! 

Our brains are wired to focus more on the negative; this aspect of our wiring ensured our survival at one point in time. In this world we live in however, our survival depends on retraining our brain to look for the good, the wonder, the awe, the positive, and to fill our energy tanks to ensure we are flexible, adaptable and resilient in an ever-changing world moving at an astounding pace we’re forcing ourselves to keep up with. It is this awe, this wonderment, that may be a key to keeping ourselves afloat, able to show up as our best selves, able to soar! Much like I sometimes find myself rushing my children to keep up, the demands of modern life often feel like the nagging parent, rushing me, demanding that I rise to the relentless pace and pressures of our modern world.

It is a gift to slow down, and when we slow down, there is another gift – that of noticing and wondering, that of awe. Resting in awe and wonder restores our appreciation, curiosity, and energy in a way that allows us to keep going. So this month, I challenge you to take awe more seriously and to create time and space for wonder. Create time and space to notice the things, the nature, the people, the weather, all the little pieces of life that you take for granted as you race past. Find the beauty and joy in this awe, revel, and explore how you feel, how your mood shifts when you take this pause to take in the energy offered by wonder and awe. What if we allow awe to lift us, to remind us of the heights to which we are capable of rising, if we focus there, instead of only on the things that keep us weighted down?

What takes your breath away? What allows you to feel exhilarated? What allows you to soar? What brings forth a feeling of awe and wonder? How might you link awe and wonder to joy? To well-being? What shifts if you intentionally look for moments of awe and wonder? What are you seeing, for what seems like the first time? How does your mood and well-being change? How does the way you see others change? How does the way you see yourself change? There is so much in which to find wonder and awe in our surroundings, how do you also find wonder and awe within? How might you experiment with being more intentional in seeking wonder and awe?

Quote(s) I’m pondering:

“You have a treasure within you that is infinitely greater than anything the world can offer.” 

~ Eckhardt Tolle ~

What I’m listening to:

I started surveying my podcast list for the topic of awe and have been working my way through the list. I haven’t completed my self-assigned homework yet, but I’ve enjoyed “How Awe Transforms Us with Dacher Keltner” hosted by Dr. Maya Shankar. Here’s the list I came up with:

Inspiring Awe & Wonder, March 9, 2023

Templeton Ideas Podcast

The New Science of Awe || Dacher Keltner, May 4, 2023

The Psychology Podcast with Scott Barry Kaufman

How Awe Can Change Your Life | Dacher Keltner, July 6, 2023

The Goodlife Project with Jonathan Fields

Awakening Awe: Finding Beauty in the Everyday with Dacher Keltner, April 2, 2024

Everyday Better with Leah Smart

How Awe Transforms Us with Dacher Keltner, October 22, 2023

A Slight Change of Plans with Maya Shankar

What do you find when you filter your podcast list for ‘awe’? If you have a listen to one or more of these, I’d love to hear what you think and to learn of any other podcasts you find that focus on ‘awe’! 

What I’m reading:

Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life

By Dacher Keltner

My Thoughts and Takeaways:

When it comes to awe, 

“In walking, we make connections, for example, between our thoughts and those of fellow human beings moving through their day, and between the contents of our minds and patterns in nature – the movements of the wind through the trees or the shifting of the clouds in the sky. In walking among others, you may notice how your bodily actions are part of larger patterns that hold together human societies: school kids crossing a street in the early morning, office workers streaming out of buildings to get to lunch…”

“Homework”:

1. Tap into your childlike sense of wonder. Young children are in an almost constant state of awe since everything is so new to them. During your walk, try to approach what you see with fresh eyes, imagining that you’re seeing it for the first time. Take a moment in each walk to take in the vastness of things, for example looking at a panoramic view or up close at the detail of a leaf or flower.
2. Go somewhere new. Each week, try to choose a new location. You’re more likely to feel awe in a novel environment where the sights and sounds are unexpected and unfamiliar to you. That said, some places never seem to get old, so there’s nothing wrong with revisiting your favorite spots if you find that they consistently fill you with awe. The key is to recognize new features of the same old place.”

For me, I I love this idea of practical ways to integrate opportunities for awe. I am working on the homework, pausing to wonder and appreciate more often. On my early morning runs, I have recently paused to stare at the deer across the street, to stand in awe of the cohabitation, their ability to spring up so easily. I have paused to ponder the springtime birth of bunnies that have arrived in our yard, and how quickly they grow. In my time up in the air, to feel so small and yet able to rise above the earth. I can’t help but think about how these experiences can shift the way I also interact with the everyday.

“It is a civic duty to give people more joy” ~ Steve Kerr, Warriors Coach 

What could the world look like if we took more opportunities to stand in awe and appreciation, and took it upon ourselves to bring others joy?

What Amazon has to say:

A National Bestseller!

“Read this book to connect with your highest self.” —Susan Cain, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Bittersweet and Quiet

“We need more awe in our lives, and Dacher Keltner has written the definitive book on where to find it.” —Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Think Again

“Awe is awesome in both senses: a superb analysis of an emotion that is strongly felt but poorly understood, with a showcase of examples that remind us of what is worthy of our awe.” —Steven Pinker, Johnstone Professor of Psychology, Harvard University, and author of How the Mind Works and Rationality

From a foremost expert on the science of emotions, a groundbreaking and essential exploration into the history, science, and greater understanding of awe

Awe is mysterious. How do we begin to quantify the goose bumps we feel when we see the Grand Canyon, or our utter amazement when we watch a child walk for the first time? Until recently, there was no science of awe, that feeling we experience when we encounter vast mysteries that transcend our understanding of the world. Revolution­ary thinking, though, has shown how humans have survived throughout evolution thanks to our capacities to cooperate, form communities, and create culture—all of which are spurred by awe.

In Awe, Dacher Keltner presents a sweeping investigation and deeply personal inquiry into this elusive feeling. Revealing new re­search alongside an examination of awe across history, culture, and within his own life, Keltner shows us how cultivating awe in our ev­eryday lives leads us to appreciate what is most humane in our human nature. At turns radical and profound, brimming with enlightening and practical insights, Awe is our field guide for how to place this emotion as a vital force within our lives.

~

You can sign up to receive my Three Thoughts for Thursday post as an email on the third Thursday of every month by clicking here.  If you’ve missed any of my Three Thoughts, you can find them all on my blog.  If you enjoyed this post, take a look at April’s Three Thoughts. You may also be interested in reading my four-part Lessons of the Run series – Endurance, Resilience, Rest, and Grit. Take a look at my latest post, “YOU are the MISSING Piece!” and stay tuned for an update to this piece, along with a recent and new 5^th Lesson of the Run – Humility and Adaptability!

If you are interested or know someone who may be interested, I also offer leadership and emotional intelligence coaching and workshops. You can find more information on my website, or you can use this link to set up a free 30-minute introduction to coaching session.
 
As I mentioned, the stroke I had in February 2018 was a pivotal event and valuable turning point in my life; you can read more in my commemorative post. Please join me in celebrating these milestones, turning points, and calls to “winter,” by taking time to celebrate your own milestones and by fully embracing the opportunities in front of you, the value in the little things, and the beauty that surrounds you in this wonderful, messy life. I will forever be grateful for my stroke and the path of integrity I found in its wake.

Over the course of the last two years, I’ve hosted a few local, in-person events here in the Seattle area, like Savor the Sweetness and the Serenity Retreat. The Serenity Retreat will be taking place again June 14, 2025; learn more and buy your ticket today! If you are interested in such local events, please contact me for more information, with any questions, or to join the invite list for future events!
 
I have the privilege of hosting the Emotional Intelligence Special Interest Group for ICFLA.  We  kicked off our 2024 explorations and learning journey on February 27^th, with guest, Dr. Heather Backstrom, author of Collaborative Confidence, who presented on “Using Stakeholder Mapping to Help Clients Enhance Self-Awareness.”  On May 28^th, we explored The Relevance of EI in the Workplace and Exploring and Supporting Confidence in Our Clients, with guest, Irené Turtle, Executive and Team Coach. In August, I hosted and spoke on the topic of, “Decision-Making and Anxiety in the Workplace”. We closed the year on October 22^nd with guest, Dr. Sohee Jun who spoke on the topic of How to Be” vs. “Who we Are”: Confidence and Authenticity in the Workplace. If these sorts of topics intrigue, please come join us! You do not need to be a coach or a member of ICFLA to attend these sessions. Please join me for our remaining sessions in 2024!

I have also joined forces with James Garrett at BrainByDesign, where I have the distinct privilege of working with colleagues, Paula Miles and Sandra Clifton, to support aspiring female leaders in the workshop series, The Brain Science Advantage for Women Leaders. This 8-week course takes a deep dive into the brain science of habits, productivity, fear and happiness, and includes 8 live sessions with James, Paula, Sandra and me where we dive even deeper into related issues specifically relevant to women. Check it out and join us as we begin a new journey January 24th!
  
If you are interested in joining and co-creating these learning communities, please use the links above to learn more about ICFLA’s Emotional Intelligence Special Interest Group and the Women’s Events. I hope you will come along for the journey!
 
I’m always looking for new inspiration, new books to read, and new podcasts to listen to, so please send your suggestions my way or comment on this post to offer some new recommendations!
 
As always, thank you for your continued support and readership! Stay strong, stay brave, stay true to you!

 
Wishing you a season of not only allowing yourself moments of awe and wonder, but also allowing more intentionality to notice and cultivate opportunities for awe in the world around you, in the beauty that surrounds you, and in the amazing soul that lives within you! Thank you for being a part of my journey!