(aw)
I’m reliably informed that “awe” is good for you.
No I don’t mean – “Aww, Tony’s got the cold again”.
I was thinking more of the “wow! I can see six of the planets at the one time” kind of awe.
Well three at least, Saturn, it turns out is drowned out by Venus, and Neptune and Uranus (I’ll slap the first person who sniggers!) are not visible with the naked eye. It was enough of a spectacle to make me get the telescope back out, then after half an hour of fruitless footering, remember why I had packed it away. It was however, half an hours distraction from my running nose.
Even with my astronomical failures, in the city, it is very easy to forget how awe inspiring the celestial sphere is.
We also get pretty awesome sunsets, and occasionally sunrises. Our window on the West is a little more scenic (despite the giant Tesco) with trees on the horizon, while the East view is a bit more chimney pots and TV aerials, but still, in the early dawn, at the right time of year…
Of course, it is not only the sky which can provide awe. Correctly used, it is the emotion we experience when confronted with something that surpasses (or confounds) our expectation of size, and it is good for us, not because “big” is impressive, but because our reaction is one of experiencing a smallness of self.
So awe can arise at gesture of surprising largesse, or a picture which reveals and enlightens, or the turn of phrase that touches something profound, or music, or sacrifice, or the sea, or achievement… It is not that these events are “big” but that they are larger than we anticipate.
If we are smaller, then so too are our problems and worries, and this in turn tends to enhance our sense of being a part of a bigger whole. It is this “belonging” that is good for our wellbeing, and maybe also, just the idea that there are experiences in life which can still surprise and inspire us, helps bring colour to our lives.
I hope you have an awe-ful week
Next week on IaDL : Complaints, definitely some grumbling
Dalmallyfest the Asylum 