The room was filled with boxes - everything in a messy disarray that reflected my own state of mind not totally unexpected given that I was moving from a three-bathroom house in the suburbs of Fort Richmond to a one-bedroom apartment.
Yet I was strangely at peace as I walked to my front window of my apartment and looked out over my new world from my ninth-floor view.
I grew up in the Fraser Valley in BC and it was a common practice for my father to take us all for a short excursion through the nearby mountains on a Sunday afternoon. At least one or twice a year we would drive through the mountains to the Okanagan valley to pick up fruit and he would pull over at every summit rest stop that gave us a panoramic view of the valleys, lakes, and mountains along the way. My father would drink in the awe moment.
I missed these panoramic views when I moved to the prairies. Cliff noticed this loss and often when driving over an over pass, he would say with a smile, "... sorry but this is the best view you are going to get of Winnipeg." It was a private joke between us.
Now I have my own panoramic view. I can drink in my awe moments whenever I need them.
About fifteen years ago researchers started studying the mysterious emotion of awe and have discovered that this emotion of awe can lead to greater happiness, even physical health and have the unexpected benefits of heightened generosity, humility and clarity. The research suggests that engaging in great art, music or even binging on a breathtaking YouTube video will improve your life and relationships. It is all about awe.
Right now my panoramic view is covered with a foggy hoar frost --a restful field of white. I am feeling very tiny, generous and creative.
A lonely bird flies across my morning view - it is poetic.
“Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.” Marcus Aurelius
Yet I was strangely at peace as I walked to my front window of my apartment and looked out over my new world from my ninth-floor view.
I grew up in the Fraser Valley in BC and it was a common practice for my father to take us all for a short excursion through the nearby mountains on a Sunday afternoon. At least one or twice a year we would drive through the mountains to the Okanagan valley to pick up fruit and he would pull over at every summit rest stop that gave us a panoramic view of the valleys, lakes, and mountains along the way. My father would drink in the awe moment.
I missed these panoramic views when I moved to the prairies. Cliff noticed this loss and often when driving over an over pass, he would say with a smile, "... sorry but this is the best view you are going to get of Winnipeg." It was a private joke between us.
Now I have my own panoramic view. I can drink in my awe moments whenever I need them.
About fifteen years ago researchers started studying the mysterious emotion of awe and have discovered that this emotion of awe can lead to greater happiness, even physical health and have the unexpected benefits of heightened generosity, humility and clarity. The research suggests that engaging in great art, music or even binging on a breathtaking YouTube video will improve your life and relationships. It is all about awe.
Right now my panoramic view is covered with a foggy hoar frost --a restful field of white. I am feeling very tiny, generous and creative.
A lonely bird flies across my morning view - it is poetic.
“Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.” Marcus Aurelius
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