“Instructions for living a life. Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.”

These words are not my own but are from Mary Oliver, the National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning poet. I have turned to them often in recent months as I navigate transitions, and seek meaning, purpose, and inspiration.

To me, Oliver’s words are prophetic, profound, and deeply inspiring. They call me to be present, to remain aware, and—perhaps most significantly—to share my experiences. Writing or speaking about what I feel and observe enriches my understanding and strengthens my connection with others. Living any life is profound, but striving to live with intention, awareness, meaning, and awe feels like an even higher pursuit.

Dacher Keltner, of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley and author of Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life, describes awe as “the feeling of being in the presence of something vast that transcends your understanding of the world.” He explains that awe arises from “perceived vastness” and experiences that challenge our existing perspectives. It can be sparked by natural wonders, spiritual moments, or powerful music. However, Keltner’s research reveals that the most common source of awe are acts of moral beauty… witnessing the courage, kindness, strength, and resilience of others, acts of exceptional virtue, character, and ability, marked by pure and good intentions.

How can you pay more attention? When was the last time you were truly astonished? When do you feel awe? How do you share these experiences? And what difference might this make in your life and in the lives of those you care about?

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(A)ppreciative (I)nquiry