Dark was the night, darker the trees. Only the moon allowed me to see …
The night was as black as could be except for tiny stars. The moon was growing fuller but for now it was barely a crescent. I watched night after night trying to think of how to describe its color. As the moon grew larger, at least to the half, I was reminded of fresh water pearls — pure luminescence, all white and slightly bumpy across the surface. I thought how fortunate I was to stand still in the night and stare quietly at the moon.
An article in a recent “Parade” newspaper insert talked about the value of “awe.” Often we use the expression “awesome” but how often do we experience awe?
Though many emotions have been studied by psychologists, says Paula Spenser Scott, the study of the value of awe is relatively new. She quotes psychologist Dacher Keltner defining awe as “The feeling of being in the presence of something vast or beyond human scale, that transcends our current understanding of things.”
I find that kind of awe while wandering in the darkness under the stars and moonlight searching for Harry and Wilhelmina. I use a small flashlight so when the light hits the kitten’s eyes they reflect back at me, a bit scary if I didn’t know it was two small kittens. Even kittens with eyes lit up make me delirious with awe. The science of it can be explained, but the sight of it is awesome.
Out in the darkness deer move about. I hear their snorting to warn other deer of possible danger. I swing the flashlight in the direction of the sound and more eyes light up, only these are about waist high and a little more awesome.
There’s spider eyes. Sam taught me to look across the grass and the fields to capture spider eyes. They look like teeny-tiny emeralds. To see spider eyes it must be completely dark with only the light of a small flashlight. It makes me wonder how many spiders I walk over as I cross the yard in search of kittens.
Studies show it is good for us to experience the natural world in all its awesomeness. They report all our “connectivity” makes us anxious and stressed. It makes us impatient and not appreciating stillness which can quiet the mind and the soul.
A quote from “Spry Living” says, “The expectation of being available 24/7 diminishes your ability to calm down and relax. When you unplug, you become more aware of what’s going on around you … ”
Anyone can find awe in their life, especially this time of year. One doesn’t have to come to the Prairie, though Plymouth Bluff is awesome.
A walk at the Riverwalk is awe-inspiring. Leaves flutter to the ground; rabbits hop into the tree line. The water is still or moving, the birds sing, the squirrels chatter.
A backyard walk can be awe-inspiring — and then, there’s the whole big sky.
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