Take an Awe Walk
Today I am grateful for the poetry of Rumi, for the beginnings of poems that come to me when I am running, and I appreciate the people who are trained to do the jobs and services that keep our homes and communities running smoothly.
Our weather has been less than ideal for the past several weeks, slowing the arrival of spring flowers and new grass. I will take whatever is dished up each day. What choice do I have? And complaining is a good conversation piece, but I try not to stay in complaint mode. I pride myself on getting out in pretty much all kinds of weather (other than potential danger to myself such as severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, ice, or extreme cold). I won’t judge you if you don’t judge me. I’m the one who runs in the rain and is bundled up, unrecognizable under several layers, when the temperature is below zero.
On that continuum of awe I talked about recently, it is always easier for me to find small miracles and tiny amazements when I am outside. I shared the idea of an awe walk with several of my colleagues recently and we ventured out on our individual routes for ten minutes. I encouraged us all to look at things as if we were seeing them for the first time, or through the eyes of a child. When we returned, we each shared one thing we had noticed; from colors and structures previously unseen, to a broader perspective and new experiences. It just warmed my heart. So simple, so profound.
When I go outside and simply notice, the awe arrives in short order. The miracles take the form of birdsong, the smell of fresh air, the feel of a breeze on my face, the brief chuckle elicited as I watch two squirrels chase each other, and this multitude of tiny raindrops on these blades of grass. It was one of the things I noticed on that awe walk I mentioned above. Green blades of grass that will take over the decomposing blades from last year. The delicate pattern of the raindrops, in their own little world of sorts. Awesome. Awe-inspiring.
Take an awe walk today if you are able and find your own small miracles and tiny amazements, or large miracles and a sense of wonder. Look with fresh eyes and heart. You won’t be disappointed.
