In reading these replies I am made aware of a suggestion I read by a fellow artist. It links kindness to joy. And I think those are two things that need to be elevated in these days.
So when I touch anything that has been through many hands( which is almost anything these days) I think of all the hands and minds that brought this thing into being, and I silently thank all the people involved in creating this thing.
It really is grounding and slows things right down, which is really needed in today’s world. It could be a painting, food, clothing, whatever it is, surely many hands have touched it. I take a moment to thank them all. It always brings a smile.
Also there is a woman in England and every day at 7:00 pm ( adjust for your time zone) she holds a silent meditation for peace. No video, no app, you just do it on your own and know others are doing it too. I think it could go a long way in raising the collective vibration. If that’s not to woo woo for you check her out on YouTube Tube, her name is Pam Gregory, she is an astrologer, and has the most calming presence.
Awe in how ancient cultures made constructions without machines and doing the unthinkable, like the Romans did in Pompeï which I visited last week. Awe in the pureness in the children I work with at school. Awe in the grief I see around me. The stillness within brings awe for life itself...
I experienced AWE whilst on tour this week with a group of visitors guiding them through the beautifully remote areas of Wester Ross in Scotland. The vast land, the awesome cloud formations and colours in the sky were amazing. Pictures I took, don't really do them justice, yet the feeling I felt observing it will remain with me for a while. 💜
It's in the smallest things and then the unexplainable. A yellow rose poking through a fence reminds me of my dad's yellow roses in our backyard growing up.
The sky always holds awe for me. From the sunset to stars to clouds. Cloud watching instills peace.
Then there are those souls with amazing capacity for things they are going through. Often in co.ete awe if people's resilience.
The AWE of the pause is so true. As I've grown older and have had to slow down, I have learned to sit in the quiet. I've had to quit work, well before my time, and had to learn to enjoy the everyday. The hustle and bustle of raising kids, working and doing all the chores that come with it, we didn't have"time" to sit in the awe.
I was always in awe of the kids and their curiosities and they taught me long ago to SEE the little things, a snail on a leaf, a worm in the rain, a spider building his web. As they grew older I think we all got wrapped up into the hustle and bustle of everyday life. So now, here I sit. Looking at the world around me, snapping pictures to remind me and guide me in my creative endeavors. It's the best therapy one could ask for.
Nature is my primary source of awe, especially sunsets, also deer grazing peacefully in the backyard, the song of a nearby loon, the intricate design of a sunflower... this morning I went up a nearby mountain to see the sunrise -- it was so peaceful, yet I felt restless... not sure why.
My kids also awe me with their bright insights, beautiful art and kindness. Be well.🙏🙏
Every day brings a new challenge when I read the news this morning. I found it hard to believe it was real. Such violent actions over what perceived idea ideas of someone else’s thoughts. This is terrible, so yes, we must combat this with love and joy and all the ways that we can Thank you for your time and your thoughtful words. I can find joy every day and just colors and smells and vistas around me, but I know it’s not always easy for others to see this beauty so let’s share, create an inspire, as you do.
I’m reading this on the Eurostar at Brussels-Midi station and reflecting how as an engineer, I frequently experience awe when I allow my curiosity to focus on a detail I can see. Last time I was here, I saw how the Belgians take a very different approach to the UK by hanging the overhead line like a suspension bridge over the vast number of tracks on the approach into the station - I ended up having a long conversation with an electrical expert a few weeks later to understand why they do that.
Yesterday I was celebrating my birthday at the pub in St Pancras so we could all stare up at the enormous and beautiful train shed and the fantastical Gothic station hotel. Part of what drives my awe is the knowledge of how much work goes into every detail, and how it also connects us to the past and the future. This was particularly true last night, when I realised that this month the UK railway is exactly 5 times older than me…!
Christine Valters Paintner (#AbbeyoftheArts) resists the language of "taking" pictures that is found in photography because of the violence inherent therein. She talks instead of going out with her camera and an open heart and "receiving" the pictures she finds or that are revealed. It is a much gentler language and I thought it might appeal to those who are drawn into your circle.
Thank you for encouraging us all to plant seeds of joy. Like any garden, the seeds will not only benefit the one who planted them.
YOU are AWESOME
In reading these replies I am made aware of a suggestion I read by a fellow artist. It links kindness to joy. And I think those are two things that need to be elevated in these days.
So when I touch anything that has been through many hands( which is almost anything these days) I think of all the hands and minds that brought this thing into being, and I silently thank all the people involved in creating this thing.
It really is grounding and slows things right down, which is really needed in today’s world. It could be a painting, food, clothing, whatever it is, surely many hands have touched it. I take a moment to thank them all. It always brings a smile.
Also there is a woman in England and every day at 7:00 pm ( adjust for your time zone) she holds a silent meditation for peace. No video, no app, you just do it on your own and know others are doing it too. I think it could go a long way in raising the collective vibration. If that’s not to woo woo for you check her out on YouTube Tube, her name is Pam Gregory, she is an astrologer, and has the most calming presence.
Awe in how ancient cultures made constructions without machines and doing the unthinkable, like the Romans did in Pompeï which I visited last week. Awe in the pureness in the children I work with at school. Awe in the grief I see around me. The stillness within brings awe for life itself...
I experienced AWE whilst on tour this week with a group of visitors guiding them through the beautifully remote areas of Wester Ross in Scotland. The vast land, the awesome cloud formations and colours in the sky were amazing. Pictures I took, don't really do them justice, yet the feeling I felt observing it will remain with me for a while. 💜
It's in the smallest things and then the unexplainable. A yellow rose poking through a fence reminds me of my dad's yellow roses in our backyard growing up.
The sky always holds awe for me. From the sunset to stars to clouds. Cloud watching instills peace.
Then there are those souls with amazing capacity for things they are going through. Often in co.ete awe if people's resilience.
My typos. Last sentence... In complete awe of.....
The awe in seeing my little piece of the world through the eyes of a puppy exploring his new home.
AWE that I opened my eyes yet another glorious unsullied day filled with promise, hope, pain, and sorrow — but still HERE NOW. 💜
The AWE of the pause is so true. As I've grown older and have had to slow down, I have learned to sit in the quiet. I've had to quit work, well before my time, and had to learn to enjoy the everyday. The hustle and bustle of raising kids, working and doing all the chores that come with it, we didn't have"time" to sit in the awe.
I was always in awe of the kids and their curiosities and they taught me long ago to SEE the little things, a snail on a leaf, a worm in the rain, a spider building his web. As they grew older I think we all got wrapped up into the hustle and bustle of everyday life. So now, here I sit. Looking at the world around me, snapping pictures to remind me and guide me in my creative endeavors. It's the best therapy one could ask for.
Nature is my primary source of awe, especially sunsets, also deer grazing peacefully in the backyard, the song of a nearby loon, the intricate design of a sunflower... this morning I went up a nearby mountain to see the sunrise -- it was so peaceful, yet I felt restless... not sure why.
My kids also awe me with their bright insights, beautiful art and kindness. Be well.🙏🙏
I really love this. We need more focus on the good things.
Every day brings a new challenge when I read the news this morning. I found it hard to believe it was real. Such violent actions over what perceived idea ideas of someone else’s thoughts. This is terrible, so yes, we must combat this with love and joy and all the ways that we can Thank you for your time and your thoughtful words. I can find joy every day and just colors and smells and vistas around me, but I know it’s not always easy for others to see this beauty so let’s share, create an inspire, as you do.
I’m reading this on the Eurostar at Brussels-Midi station and reflecting how as an engineer, I frequently experience awe when I allow my curiosity to focus on a detail I can see. Last time I was here, I saw how the Belgians take a very different approach to the UK by hanging the overhead line like a suspension bridge over the vast number of tracks on the approach into the station - I ended up having a long conversation with an electrical expert a few weeks later to understand why they do that.
Yesterday I was celebrating my birthday at the pub in St Pancras so we could all stare up at the enormous and beautiful train shed and the fantastical Gothic station hotel. Part of what drives my awe is the knowledge of how much work goes into every detail, and how it also connects us to the past and the future. This was particularly true last night, when I realised that this month the UK railway is exactly 5 times older than me…!
Christine Valters Paintner (#AbbeyoftheArts) resists the language of "taking" pictures that is found in photography because of the violence inherent therein. She talks instead of going out with her camera and an open heart and "receiving" the pictures she finds or that are revealed. It is a much gentler language and I thought it might appeal to those who are drawn into your circle.
Thank you for encouraging us all to plant seeds of joy. Like any garden, the seeds will not only benefit the one who planted them.