Wonder and Awe
Unitarian Universalists find inspiration from six sources. The first - Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life - is a bit of a mouthful. To simplify we might say, “The sense of wonder and awe that we all share”. Awe may be defined as “a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder”.
My experience has been that as children we begin from a base of curiosity and wonder, and frequent, delightful, awe. By the time we are adults, some of us have lost sight of our wonder, and our moments of awe are few.
Following CU*UL School in British Columbia two summers ago, I toured the Nitobe Japanese Garden and sat in wonder as I took in more shades of green than I thought possible, or even imaginable. It was raining. It was an awesome moment.
This past summer, my family and I donned our rain ponchos and road a ferry into the base of Niagara Falls. I have always been drawn to water, but this was a truly breathtaking, exhilarating, awe-inspiring experience.
I try to notice these moments, whether they are as quiet as the garden or as thunderous as the Falls. I try to be present for the sometimes-overwhelming feelings of wonder and awe, and be thankful for them.
I am so fortunate to stumble upon moments like this regularly in my work life. I witness the curiosity and wonder of others. I am awed by the commitment, love and brilliance of the people of this community. Someone shares their news with me, and I have to sit with my “feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear and wonder” for a moment.
In October, I drove to the Western Region’s Fall Gathering and back with some of our youth and their ally. We talked about church life and changes in Youth Ministry, and they quizzed me using the same survey on spiritual types that had been part of their conference.
Turns out, according to the survey, that I am all about wonder and awe. Perhaps not everyone is. But I encourage you to open yourself up to, even seek out, moments of wonder. Follow your curiosity, your creativity, your passion or your spirit. Be present. Notice, when awe sneaks up.
Peace,
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