Wonder

Wonder and Awe

Did you happen to observe the Super Blood Moon the other night?  If you didn’t see it, you missed one of the amazing things in our universe that we can witness without a telescope.  www.timeanddate.com says, “The full moon of September 27/28 is a Supermoon – the moon will be closest to the Earth, or at its perigee, as it turns into a full Moon.  A rising Super Full Moon can look larger and brighter to spectators on Earth.  Total eclipses of Super Full Moons are rare.  According to NASA, they have only occurred 5 times in the 1900’s – in 1910, 1928, 1946, 1964 and 1982.”  We won’t see another one until October 8, 2033!  They also say “Blood Moon is sometimes used to describe a Total Lunar Eclipse.  When the Earth casts its shadow on a Full Moon and eclipses it, the Moon may get a red glow.”

I am fascinated with the sky and space!  It is awe-inspiring to me!  Seeing photographs of Earth from space can move me in ways that words can’t describe.  I can’t imagine how the astronauts must feel when they see the earth and moon from space!

I am also in awe of the amazing new photographs of Mars!  Water was found on Mars!!  Wow!!  This opens up the possibilities of humans camping out on another planet!  This is the stuff that science-fiction is made of, but may now may not be fiction at all.  Think of the technology that has allowed us to see such detail in photographs!  Wow!  This is a far cry from our childhood Kodak flash camera!

As we age, it is more difficult for us to find things to cause us to feel a sense of wonder and awe.  We tend to feel like we “have been there, done that” and aren’t easily impressed anymore.  If you watch small children, including babies, you will see wonder in their eyes and facial expressions as everything is new and exciting to them.  How can we regain these feelings? 

I suggest we learn from the children in our lives.  Get down on their level and see the world as they see it.  Have you ever realized how different things look when you are a baby and are unable to stand up?  What about the perspective of one who is 2 feet tall?  Try it!  You may experience the world in a new way.  Look at the things they see at that level.  Look at the bugs, the grass, the carpet, the furniture, pets, toys, etc.  Take it all in!  After doing this for a while, raise yourself up a little bit and look at the world, again.  How does your perspective change at this height?  What do you see at this level?  Do you feel like you are in a land of giants?  Imagine how large things would be in your world if the ratios were the same for adults as they are for children.  It is strange to think of living in a land of giants where we are the size of babies or toddlers!

Yet, this is the way I feel when I look into space.  We are but tiny specks in this infinite universe.  It puts all of our concerns and problems into perspective.  They don’t seem so big and important when you are looking at the stars, moon and planets.  Seeing things from this angle can help reduce anxiety and worry.

Getting out in nature can bring up feelings of wonder and awe.  We are indoors so much, we forget how much better we feel when we go outside and experience nature.  Try it!  Go outside.  Feel the cool, crisp fall air, smell the fall flowers, and appreciate the fall colors that will be popping out soon.  Ask questions as children do (i.e. “Why do the leaves turn colors?  Why are some leaves red, some yellow, some orange and some purple?  Why do the seasons change?  What causes the cooler temperatures in the fall?”).  Seek out the answers!  Experience the wonders of our world and our universe this fall!  Notice how your perspective and attitude change.  It really is a wonderful world!

This article was posted in the Coach's Corner of the ASTD Newsletter for October 2015.  You can reach Kolleen through this website, Linked In, Facebook or by calling her at (402) 499-5547.  She offers workshops, small groups and individual life coaching on a variety of topics to help you create the life you dream of but haven't been able to achieve.