By Michele Tenney
Here’s To Your Health
Michele Tenney
Recently, my oldest son got engaged to a young woman we absolutely adore. It was a great surprise because they have been dating for nine years. Our families were filled with joy.
Then it occurred to me that I had been somewhat joyless for some time. I realized I had been in essence going through the motions of life without being intentional about my happiness.
Don’t get me wrong: I am grateful for the life I have, my family and children, our health and wellbeing and so much more. But what happens when we stray or lose our ability to be in awe?
The definition of awe is this: filled with wonder, wonderstruck, awestruck, amazed, astonished and lost for words. I think of places that I’ve been, things I’ve seen. But more than that, I find I can be in awe right in my backyard watching hummingbirds in their feeders. Being intentional about your peace and quiet time is essential to your wellbeing. Being purposeful about putting time aside is critical to your peace and inward healing.
Experiencing awe has some amazing health benefits. Studies show that experiencing awe shifts our attention away from ourselves and makes us aware there is something greater than ourselves. It makes us more generous to others. That is something truly awesome.
Studies also have shown there are physiological, psychological and social effects awe can have on us. When we feel awe, we can have heart rate changes, and there is some evidence that this feeling can decrease inflammation. Have you ever experienced a sense of chills or goosebumps when feeling awe? There you have it. Feeling awe can give you the sense of having more time available, can enhance critical thinking, can give you feelings of increased connectedness and a positive mood.
So how do we experience awe? Perhaps it’s viewing some remarkable artwork, taking a long hike through the mountains or stargazing at night. I have always found awe in holding a newborn child.
Your spirituality is directly connected to awe. I recently watched a YouTube video about the Apollo 8 mission, the first manned mission to orbit the moon. Those men who went around the moon where not so awestruck with the fact they actually reached the moon as they were with the sight of Earth coming up over the horizon. The most profound broadcast in our history came from space when these men sent us a Christmas Eve message while experiencing complete and utter awe. I personally was moved to tears watching and listening. You can check it out yourself at youtube.com/watch?v=6vvNxhlP1jA.
We have become a rat race society. A quicker, faster, do more with less time, sleep deprived, drive-drive-drive society. Our overall health has suffered tremendously because of it. I challenge you this spring to spring back to life by letting some things die that don’t benefit you or enrich your life and begin a new journey of taking back what truly matters: love, peace, contentment, honor and rest.
Life is too short. Be in the now. Be in awe. I believe in you. You can do this. Here’s to your health.
Great!