“There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle or you can live as if everything is a miracle.” - Albert Einstein
Imagine stepping back in time.
Waaaaay back.
To the dawn of our species.
Roughly 10,000 years ago. And there you are.
Standing on the shoulders of about 400 generations of your ancestors.
Think about it.
400 generations between then … and now.
Each set of your ancestors had to be sharp, brave, and crafty enough to dodge saber-toothed tigers, outsmart rival tribes, avoid plagues, and somehow, amidst all that chaos, find time for a little romance to ensure the family line marched on.
And here you are.
The product of millennia of survival, love, and sheer human gumption.
It's nothing short of a miracle.
Your very existence is a high-five from history, a cosmic lottery win.
But here's the kicker: that sense of awe, of jaw-dropping wonder at our own story, we let it slip through our fingers.
We forget to marvel at the everyday miracles - the giggle of a baby, the symphony of a sunset, or the simple act of waking up each morning.
Why do we need courage to feel awe, you ask?
Because to really, truly feel it, we have to admit we're just a speck in the universe's grand narrative. We have to step out of the spotlight of our own dramas and open ourselves to the vastness of life.
It's about being present, ditching the smartphone for a hot second, and letting the world in, in all its glory.
The Science of Awe
Awe is described as a feeling that arises when we encounter something so vast and extraordinary that it alters our understanding of the world.
This experience, often elicited by nature, art, or moments of profound human connection, transcends our daily concerns, expanding our sense of self and connecting us to something larger.
Dacher Keltner, a leading researcher on awe, emphasizes its transformative power: "Awe is the feeling of being in the presence of something vast that transcends your understanding of the world."
This Week’s Scare Your Soul Challenge: Find One New Moment of Awe in Life
Your challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to craft your own awe-inspired moment this week.
Find that spot that makes your soul sing, whether it's the hushed pews of an old church, the rustling leaves of a forest, or the buzzing energy of a city street. The touch of the fingers of someone we love. Or choose one of these:
Sunrise Symphony: Wake up with the birds, when the world is still half-asleep, and watch the sunrise paint the sky. It's like the universe is whispering, "Here's to new beginnings."
Starlight Serenade: Lie on your back under the open sky on a clear night, and let the cosmos tell you stories in light. The universe sings in constellations, after all.
Nature's Nooks: Take a walk in the nearest patch of nature you can find. A park, a garden, or even your backyard. Notice the details. It's a masterpiece, free of charge.
The Art of Listening: Spend a few moments in silence, just listening. The world is a symphony – the distant bark of a dog, the wind teasing the trees, the soft sigh of the world breathing.
Connection Quest: Share a moment, a memory, or a meal with someone. Dive deep into the conversation, beyond the surface. Find the awe in the shared tapestry of human experience, in the simple act of being truly seen and heard.
This week, let’s marvel at the fact that you're part of this incredible, improbable story of existence.
And relish it.
To make this challenge easier, download the attached document for a little guide on how to embark on this awe quest.
At the book signing last week, we ran out of Scare Your Soul books!
Luckily, you don’t have to wait in line … you can order yours from Amazon or Barnes & Noble!
In courage,