The Antidote To Stress - AWE

This photo is of the Gorge de Loup, taken about an hour ago.

"Loup" in French is either a fish or a wolf.
"Gorge" either refers to a throat, or to a canyon.

(Context is very important in understanding French.)

I assume that the river that forged this canyon was, or still is, home to many "loup" (as in fish.)

Two to three times a week, I start my day with a walk up our local hill to take a closer peek at this gorge to the North, and also to have a look at the sea to the South.

This morning was extra special, as a rustling awoke my senses, and I got to see a magnificent deer prancing his way through the forest, pausing briefly to look our way. (My dog Skaï is my devoted companion.)

Twelve years ago, I lived in a large American city, with a regular 10+ hour a day job, and a toxic boss.

I was stressed beyond belief, and was unable to start a family. When I finally did get pregnant, it resulted in a miscarriage.

Then I resigned.
Got pregnant.
And moved to France.

Now, I live in a town of 4,500+ people in the hills up from the Mediterranean Sea.

I recognize that not everyone has the luxury of being able to quit their job, and move across an ocean to restart their lives, but we do all have the ability to recognize and respond to our stress in meaningful ways.

According to psychologist, Dacher Keltner, one of those ways is by connecting to AWE.

In his book, titled AWE, Dr. Keltner describes 8 wonders of awe that we can connect to every day, often without having to go anywhere.

They are:

1) Moral Beauty - reading about and witnessing humanity at it's finest - acts of courage, kindness, and inspiration
2) Collective Effervescence - the buzzing and life force of community
3) Nature - both the cataclysmic natural events and the simplicity of wonder at nature's expansiveness
4) Music - allowing yourself to be transported to new dimensions through sound
5) Visual Design - buildings, sculptures, and gardens that transport us (I love old churches and cathedrals, even though I am atheist)
6) Spiritual/Religious Experiences - mystical awe both natural, synthetic (drug-based), and sexual
7) Life and Death - stories and experiences of endings and beginnings
8) Epiphanies - sudden understandings of the essential truths of life.

What's magical and meaningful, is that we all can access moments of at anytime of day. We don't need to hike up our local hill.

All it takes is slowing down and being intentional.

In Dr. Ethan Cross's book Chatter he also describes the importance of awe to help us address the constant negative chatter in our minds. Inspired by his book, I created a guided visualization where you can connect with awe at any time. I'll put the link in the comments.

When it comes to your own sense of awe, would you rather have a view of the mountains or a view of the sea? Or something else entirely?

Originally posted on LinkedIn with comments.

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