Dear friend,
I hope you are well. And you haven’t melted away in this heat.
I have found that complaining can be a finely refined skill if you let it, just walking through this week and observing how various people have coped with these heat waves.
We must redirect our attention to what really matters.
Awe!!
What a privilege to observe seasons come and go and to be able to rely on the rhythm year in year out.
It’s amazing how all those intergalactic events work together to make our everyday lives happen! It’s important not to get bogged down by little inconveniences.
Who keeps the sun in the sky?
Do you ever wonder if the sun gets tired of being up there and wants to come down from time to time?
What gives the seas their boundaries?
Why do they not cross it?
Have you ever stood before a breathtaking sunset, listened to a powerful piece of music, walked through a beautiful landscape, or witnessed an act of kindness that left you speechless? That moment when you feel small yet deeply connected to something greater has a name.
A few years ago, I read this book, The Book of Awesome, which is filled with so many beautiful experiences we take for granted.
The smell of rain just before it falls
The sound of your kids coming through the door when you think about them
The phone rings just when you pick it up to call the person on the other end
The smell of freshly-baked bread
Oooooooohhhhh Lord. Such beautiful pleasures
Awe is one of the most profound emotions humans experience. It is the feeling of being overwhelmed by something vast, meaningful, and beautiful.
While we often think of beauty as something that simply pleases our eyes, science and psychology reveal that beauty does much more—it can influence our emotions, reshape our thoughts, calm our minds, and support our overall well-being.
Beauty, in its many forms, is not just decoration. It is a source of healing.
It is why effort is made in healing environments like hospitals and spas to choose certain colours or architectural items, because our eyes and ears need beauty to naturally respond internally to reflect what we perceive externally.
A closer look
Awe occurs when we encounter something that challenges our usual way of seeing the world. It could be the beauty of nature, a remarkable human achievement, a spiritual experience, or even a simple moment of deep connection.
Unlike happiness, which often focuses on personal pleasure, awe shifts our attention away from ourselves, and that is what makes it so beautiful and worth considering. It creates a sense that we are part of something bigger.
We are merely a little, yet integral part of what makes the whole big thing work well.
“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” Psalm 8:3-4
A person experiencing awe may feel:
- A deeper appreciation for life
- A profound sense of connection with others
- A renewed curiosity about the world
- A quieting of everyday worries
This is why a walk through a beautiful forest, a moment watching the ocean waves, or listening to a meaningful song can feel emotionally refreshing.
Awe changes our internal state and inadvertently changes us because something new is formed in us when we allow ourselves to lean into awesome experiences.
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The Healer called Beauty
When I worked in an acute ward setting, there was a lady who always just looked well turned out; she would have her nails and hair done, take time to wear nice clothes; it goes without saying she wasn’t unwell for long.
I could appreciate the discipline, but at the time I didn’t really understand the mechanics of having beautiful things around you, and how it made you focused on life-giving energy, and daily that energy builds up and is enough to power good health and life-supporting habits such as exercise, healthy diet, good sleep, etc.
The human brain responds strongly to beauty. When we encounter something visually, emotionally, or spiritually moving, our brain processes it as a deeply meaningful experience.
The more we expose ourselves to beautiful experiences, the more we give ourselves a chance to form a brain that encourages relaxation, reduces mental tension, and creates a feeling of calm. They invite the mind to slow down and become more present.
I never met a person who, in the face of the vastness of the ocean, was walking fast. It naturally slows you down and almost puts you in a trance-like state.
One of the most powerful things about awe is that it changes the perspective we have on our problems. When we are overwhelmed, our struggles can feel like the entire world. But experiencing awe reminds us that our lives exist within a much larger picture.
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11
Standing beneath a sky full of stars or watching the beauty of nature creates a feeling of humility. Our problems may still exist, but they no longer feel like the only thing that matters. Awe does not erase difficulties, but it helps the mind carry them differently.
The Healing Power of Nature’s Beauty
Nature is one of the most accessible sources of awe. A quiet morning, the sound of rain, a beautiful garden, mountains, oceans, or even a simple view of the sky can restore a tired mind.
Many people notice that after spending time in nature, they feel lighter, clearer, and more peaceful. This is because natural beauty encourages mindfulness—the ability to experience the present moment fully.
So why not make accessing nature part of your daily life: drive a scenic route to work, look for natural spaces when you pick your next home, and advocate for a garden area in your work spaces?
These things are possible.
The professional of the future must realise that longevity is only worth having when we have a great quality of life.
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.” Psalm 19:1-2
Nature reminds us to slow down. The trees do not rush. The rivers do not compete. The sunrise does not compare itself to yesterday’s sunrise. Everything simply exists in its own rhythm. There is something deeply healing about witnessing that.
Awesome Connections
We don’t only find it in nature; it can also come from people. A kind gesture, a story of courage, a powerful conversation, or watching someone overcome a difficult season can create a sense of wonder. These experiences remind us of the goodness that exists in humanity.
There is that person who always remembers birthdays and takes time to make others feel better.
The person who is always full of kindness and wisdom for others.
The one who gives of their heart and soul for another.
What better example is there than the life and death of Jesus?
What greater love exists than a man should die for his friends, that they may be saved?
Scripture Reflection:
“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17
Beauty helps us move beyond ourselves. It encourages gratitude, compassion, and connection—emotions that strengthen relationships and improve how we relate to the world around us.
Creating More Moments of Awe in Everyday Life
You do not need a luxury vacation or a rare experience to encounter beauty. Awe can be found in ordinary moments when we choose to notice.
- Watch the sunrise or sunset intentionally.
- Listen to music that moves your soul.
- Spend quiet time in a local park or garden.
- Read stories of hope and human resilience.
- Appreciate art, creativity, or craftsmanship.
- Notice small acts of kindness around you.
- Pause and take three deep breaths to be fully present.
The world is filled with beautiful moments, but we often miss them because we are moving too quickly.
Slow down, my sister and brother.
Slooow down.
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Beauty Is More Than What We See
Beauty is not only about appearance; it is about meaning, too, what our brains have attached to the experience.
A beautiful moment touches something deeper within us. It reminds us that life contains wonder, hope, and possibility.
The psychology of awe teaches us something important: the mind needs beauty.
Just as the body needs rest, the mind needs moments that inspire it. Beauty gives us a chance to reconnect, reflect, and remember that we are part of something much greater than our daily worries.
Sometimes healing begins with something as simple as noticing what is beautiful. And perhaps the most powerful medicine for the mind is not always something we find, but something we learn to see with eyes that are not physical.
Turning Inward:
The same Architecture that designed the vast oceans, the towering mountains, and the brilliant stars designed *you*. True awe doesn’t just look outward at creation; it looks inward at the miracle of your own existence.
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:14
Take a quiet moment to sit with these questions and explore your own identity through the lens of awe:
1. The Architecture of You: When you look at a mountain or a sunset, you easily see its beauty without demanding it change. Can you look at your own journey, your resilience, and your heart with that same gentle appreciation? What is one thing about your character or your story that you find beautiful today?
2. The Gift of Breath: In the busyness of life, we often view ourselves merely as “workers” or “doers.” If you strip away your productivity, your job title, and your daily to-do list, who are you in the quiet? How does it feel to realize your worth exists simply because you are here?
3. Reflecting the Divine: We experience awe when we see acts of love and courage in others. Think of a time when you extended kindness, endured a hardship, or offered comfort to someone else. How did that moment reflect the beautiful, unique light inside of you?
Until next time — stay warm, stay growing, stay loving, stay whole.
With love and light,
Amaka.
