One of my pet peeves is people who overuse the word “awesome.” I hold that word in reverence. The popular usage refers to something extremely good. For me, however, I only use it when something is truly AWE-some. Those moments are highly attainable but few. As I further explore the word, I find deeper understandings concerning unexpected encounters with natural wonders and a feeling of being part of something larger than oneself.
Awe is difficult to define. Further, the meaning of the word has changed over time. Related concepts are wonder, admiration, and elevation. It is an omnipresent feeling of reverence, admiration, and fear produced by something grand, sublime, and powerful. Seeing something as beautiful or positive is not necessarily something that is formidable. Being in awe is a 10.0 on a 10.0 scale.
In Awe: The Delights and Dangers of Our Eleventh Emotion, neuropsychologist Paul Pearsall presented a phenomenological study of awe. He defined awe as an “overwhelming and bewildering sense of connection with a startling universe that is usually far beyond the narrow band of our consciousness.” Pearsall described awe as the 11th emotion beyond love, fear, sadness, embarrassment, curiosity, pride, enjoyment, despair, guilt, and anger. Awe may be the most overlooked, undervalued emotion.
Awe can be a positive or negative and most people associate it with the positive. People experience awe, especially aesthetic awe, when they are not in physical danger. It is interesting to me that “awful” seems to be the opposite of awesome although they can be related.
I am open to AWE experiences in my life and am thrilled when I feel that sense of wonder. Weeks ago, a major storm front come through the area. I started out walking near my house at daylight with clear quiet skies to the east. In five minutes, the sky became yellow and orange to the west with the rising sun reflecting toward the tumbling clouds coming over the continental divide. Minutes later, the clouds descended into the valley turning to dark gray, snow began to fall, the wind roared in, and a blizzard was upon me. It was awesome, and conjured mixed feelings of wonder, sublimity, and respect for nature.
Those same feelings of wonder and awe have come to me seeing a spectacular and highly unusual sunset, standing on top of a mountain with a 360-degree view, seeing ominous storm clouds towering in the distance, or hearing music that evokes a powerful nostalgic emotion. The feelings are humbling. Sentiments of awesomeness draw attention away from myself and toward something grand in the environment.
As I wander, I hope for experiences that fill me with awe. I want to feel connected to the world and the presence of something greater than my small self. For me, going outside, pausing, reflecting, and slowing down are pre-requisites for awe. Realizing awe refreshes my soul.
Standing at the edge of the south rim of the Grand Canyon was one of a few awesome moments for me!