Awe

[BlueSugar]

Actually, lots of times. The beauty of nature and the historical significance had a lot to do with it. Some that have already been mentioned that I totally agree with are The Grand Canyon, St. Peter's and Ground Zero. Yes, Bobmi, I do get filled with anger too. Being from NYC, working in lower Manhattan for many years, having been in the WTC for meeting several times and seeing the WTC for so many years, I am awed by how quickly everyone's lives were changed. Something we took for granted that would always be there, was gone in a matter of hours, reduced to rubble and the horror of all those lives lost. The awe of how powerless we all were when pitted against such an evil deed.

Some not mentioned are:

Any time I'm out on the ocean or at the beach just staring at the water. The beauty and power of nature and man's futility at trying to tame or conquer it. The courage that it took for man (and woman) to try and sail this huge expanse, not knowing what they would find, what weather they would face and when they would return.

I was in Ocean City, Maryland with friends, getting into trouble and doing bad things in high school... but I remember taking a break from them merrymaking and going outside on the beach at night.
It was summer, it was warm, the tide was high and i remember looking out to the dark horizon and then slowly letting my eyes and head drift up and I tipped over (ok, I was a little...a little tipsy at the time BUT!...) I almost cryed, I felt so small.

 

[cebalrai]

- Standing amongst the Giant Sequoia trees in California.

- Just about anywhere on the south island of New Zealand.

 

[ethereal~minx]

awe in intimate moments shared~~ removing layer upon layer upon layer until you find eachother completely open and revealing of the innermost feelings, consciously aware of the depth and trust of your togetherness, your connection


the same applies to nature ~~
feeling the same raw, openness, connectedness to the world aroun--natural world around you---
that's where I feel most my awe's

nothing is more freeing

 

[webber1998]

One recent moment was standing on the Boardwalk in Ocean City MD the evening after hurricane Isabel went through. The power of the ocean that evening was consuming.

 

[ghosst_K&H]

Driving east on I80 in Wyoming, The full moon was coming up before me, as the sun was setting behind me about equal distance in the sky....it was quite amazing.

Gettysburg Pa... The battlefield, one could feel the pain and suffering there.

US 89 between Logan and Garden City Ut....imho the prettiest stretch of road in the US

The sunsets in New Mexico are beautiful I lived in Carlsbad for almost a year

The Chicago skyline at night, viewed from a sailboat on Lake Michigan

Krispy Creme Doughnuts just kiddin...heehee

 

[CelticFrog]

There are many things, so I will try to remember just a few. I've been following this thread and consistently agree with many, but there are a few places or things that have blown me away. Some of them others have mentioned already.

The first time I saw my son for more than five seconds, two hours after he was born.

Every time I look at my son now.

(from my husband:
"The first time I saw, from the ground, an AC-130 light up targets.")

When I trace the scars on my husband and realize that he could have been taken from me before I ever had the chance to have him.

The scene from the front porch of a timeshare cabin in Glacier Park, MT. The waterfall that is a short hike away from that.

Waterfalls in general, but especially the ones in the Columbia River Gorge.

Every time someone praises me for something I've created or helped create. (Music, story, poem, you name it)

The sight of a wedding band on my husband's finger.

Electrical storms.

When people tell me they think I've accomplished much in my life.

Every time I think of my now excellent relationship with my formerly abusive mother.

I wish I could keep going, but my eyes are misting and I expect I've already put much down that isn't as awe inspiring to many as it is to me.

Ang

 

[watergirl]

Yes

Bodies of water, the night sky, city skylines... Bridges - great arching bridges. Cathedrals. Sculptures. I am often as awed by what people create as by what nature has wrought.

And this question makes me think of a question posed by Ayn Rand in one of her books - do you tip back your head and look upwards in awe, or, simply by tipping your head back to look upwards at some intangible goal or idea or in pride or joy, or actual thing - does that motion of your body have some connection to the feeling of awe?

I think both. Think of the association of depression and shyness with a posture of head bowed, eyes lowered - and the exaltation associated with looking upwards. Cathedrals are built tall and with lines that lead the eye upwards - so look up and be joyful and awed whenever you get the chance. At hills, mountains, skies, buildings, bridges, homes, birds - the world.

Very nice thread.

 

[Carnus]

Got one this morning,,

Standing outside watching the cloudy sky begin to lighten I felt a light mist on my face as the wind blew gently, I turned away from it and blinked my eyes to watch a pair of squirrels sharing some breakfast on my porch railing.

Carnus

 

[bobsgirl]

Driving through the mountains up to Paradise Lodge on Mount Rainier.
Every time we fly out west, the sight of the Rockies. For a midwest gal like me, amazing. I can't imagine having that sight out my living room window everyday.

Taking a ride on the Maid of the Mists and going behind Niagara Falls.

I was driving down I-75 a couple years ago while the Dayton International Air Show was going on, and I got treated to a free performance of the Air Force Thunderbirds as I drove along. I was all alone in the car, and I remember thinking how disappointed I was that I couldn't share it with anybody.

Okay, one more. Two nights ago hub and I were out to dinner. Seated at the table next to us was a young couple with their newborn son (and I mean brand new). I glanced over and caught the new dad just gazing at his son with such a look of love and awe on his face. Made my night.

 

[Georgia Girl]

The first time I saw my son, the smell of his skin, the feel of his fingers wrapping around mine and the oh so wonderous sight and feeling as I gave something from my body to nourish my child. Just wow.

Returning to Homestead, FL after Hurricane Andrew and trying to find my home. The sight of so much destruction, slivers of wood driven into the cinder blocks of my home, the roof laying in the yard upside down, finding my front door 2 miles away and so much more.

Sitting down at a quilting frame with generations of my family to creating a quilt together, the old teaching the young. (The quilt hangs above my bed)

 

[kiwis29]

[
The scene from the front porch of a timeshare cabin in Glacier Park, MT. The waterfall that is a short hike away from that.

Waterfalls in general, but especially the ones in the Columbia River Gorge.

Glacier Park is pure beauty. It makes me miss home.

The Black Hills in South Dakota is absolutely beautiful in the early spring all summer and early fall. We live close so I get to see its splendor every other week at least.

The awe in having three beautiful children..

Love for my husband.

 

[Guest]

When I was in Washington State. Working in the woods basically. How beautiful, serene and peaceful it was. Had a lot of time to reflect and think and just noticed how beautiful nature really was. The mountains, the Columbia river. All of it.