Subtitle: Awe Walks, They're Good For Your Health!
Marian sent me a link to an article from Huffpost which linked to a Podcast from the Am I Doing It Wrong series. The article and the Podcast feature the research Dacher Keltner has done on wonder and awe...and how having more of it can change our lives. Marian knew this was right up my alley!
I'm not going into too much detail here...even though I want to. I recommend you read the the article if you're interested which links to the Podcast. I enjoyed both. You might too.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/dacher-keltner-awe-wonder-walk_l_676f0658e4b0063e00bc064c
Dacher defines awe as an emotion you feel when you encounter vast mysteries. I think I've experience this when I say something makes me stop in my tracks or make me pause. I hadn't thought about these as moments of awe....but now I get it.
He goes on to describes a study he did with 75 year olds and the positive effect that experiencing awe had on their health. Some of the participants in the study were told to go on what he called a awe walks....paying attention to things with childlike wonder. They were to pause and notice things...both big and small and take in the vast mysteries that were all around them.
That's what I've been saying for years...in my own way.
There was a notable positive effect on people who took the awe walks.
This one on the ground seemed to go on forever...and the fact that I was able to walk from one end to the other gave me a real sense how tall this tree actually was. It gave me a feeling of awe. And if was was actually a child...I would have tried to walk the whole length balancing ON the tree.
The study showed that once people started searching for awe, the more awe they found....and this gives me a new framework to think about what I already knew.
The more you pay attention and take the time to look closely....the more you will see I've always said. Now I know I'm encouraging you to search for awe....and I can say even it's been scientifically proven to be be good for your health!
But we've started back up again...and I just realized today that taking photos to share with her was another way that I searched for moments of awe. I've missed it....and I'm glad to have it back in my life. It's good for my health!
This is the photo montage that I sent her this evening....highlights of my awe walk in the woods.
An extrapolation of one of Newton's First Law in Motion: a body in motion tends to stay in motion, and a body seeking awe tends to continue seeking awe. It's the best! And you are an awe-inspiring mentor for those of us wanting to widen the lens on our own awe.
ReplyDeleteA moment of awe today: stopping in my tracks in recognition of the mystery of being able to walk and talk twice a week with my long-time bestie Sylvia, who lives a thousand miles away, via whatever magic it is that allows telecommunication through our iPhones.
Love the connection to Newton's First Law Dotty! And thank you for sharing your moment of awe today. Isn't it wonderful how technology can allow us to go for regular walks with someone a thousand miles away. That's AWEsome!
DeleteNature is awe inspiring. I love to take pictures of findings such as these on walks in the woods. You have inpired me to find a place to take such walks. I moved and have not found a place like this yet. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYour welcome! I purposefully walked in the woods yesterday so I would see something different. But I also am looking forward to walking my regular street routes with a child's eye for awe and wonder. There's always something new to see....even in familiar places.
DeleteI'm sure you will find interesting places to walk in your new surroundings. And you might be surprised you find right in your own neighborhood.