I was cleaning my desk and office this morning when I found a quote that I had jotted down on the back of an envelope some time ago. For the life of me, I can’t remember when I wrote the quote down or who said it. But it still rings true for me today. Here is the quote…

The Task of Life

and the task of human evolution and the task of human well being is to connect to things that are larger than the self and I think that’s what awe does. It opens your mind …

Find the larger things in life that give you goosebumps and go after those with force and you’ll be okay.

   — Unknown

It struck me as true when I first heard it. And it feels true today as well. Connecting with awe is one of the reasons I fell in love with photography. Making photographs helps me to connect to things larger than myself.

Goosebumps

I regularly have what I call “goosebump moments” when I go out with my camera to explore the world. And I also get them when I look up at the night sky, or deeply into the interior of a blooming flower. Another goosebump moment for me is when someone says something that rings deeply true to me.

These three stories of awe—the scientific, the cultural, and the personal—converge on an understanding of how we can find awe. Where do we find it? In response to what I will call the eight wonders of life, which include the strength, courage, and kindness of others; collective movement in actions like dance and sports; nature; music; art and visual design; mystical encounters; encountering life and death; and big ideas or epiphanies. These wonders are all around us, if we only pause for a moment and open our minds. There are so many opportunities for everyday awe.
Dacher Keltner, Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life

Sometimes I experience a frisson of joy in my belly as I walk in nature. It is these visceral responses that tell me that I am on the joy trail and to keep on going.

How often do you have goosebump moments? Do you agree that the task of life is to connect to things larger than the self? When was the last time you felt a frisson of joy in your belly? Maybe it’s time to tend to your soul with something that brings you awe and wonder.

May you walk in beauty.

Note: Today’s photos are of two dried up orchid leaves and my daily 30 day challenge river birch photo.


Marilyn

Photographer sharing beauty, grace & joy in photographs and blog posts. I live in the Twin Cites in Minnesota, the land of lakes, trees, and wonderful nature.

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