An Awe a Day Leads to a Better Way!

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What It’s About: Why is intentionally finding an awe a day important to you and me? Michelle Shiota is a psychologist at Arizona State University, and an expert on emotions. When the pandemic struck, she began working from home and doing one activity, all day long. In the fall of 2021, according to this great article, Shiota noticed she wasn't feeling like herself, as if her mind had shrunk.

Shiota is a world expert on awe. She says the emotion is difficult to define, "but I think that what we are dealing with is a change that happens in our mind — and in our bodies and in our feelings — when we encounter something so extraordinary that we can't explain it. That encounter can be with something grand, such as a panoramic view of a red sun dipping into the Pacific Ocean. It can be with something minuscule, such as the black spots on a ladybug. (How did they get so perfectly round?) It can be a scent, a taste or sound. "It can be a very complex and powerful song that you've never heard before or even a scene in a TV show.”

So What?: As I talk to people about the future of work, and the possibilities in front of us, I’m hearing a lot of views expressed through negative and pessimistic eyes. I do appreciate the realistic view of our many challenges. However, I feel like we may have lost a little positive emotional muscle over the last 18 months? Happiness and optimism, like all emotions, actually takes practice. And we will not be able to progress to the degree we might, if pessimism and gloom become emotional bullies. Psychologists say we can improve our well-being by recognize\ing moments of positive feelings, value them and seek them out more often. So let’s consider the following.

Now What?: Let’s go to the positive emotion cross fit gym, and practice three ways to achieve a little more positivity and happiness, as inspired by the referenced article:

Share some appreciation: A simple way is to send a few notes to people telling why you appreciate them. Just give without expecting reciprocation.
Take an awe walk: Take a five-minute walk outside, each day, where you intentionally shift your thoughts outward to what’s amazing around you. It could be the smell of a freshly cut lawn, the color of someone’s door, a sunset. Awe is everywhere, and it’s free.
Listen to a calm concert: “A recent meta-analysis from the University of Michigan found that sounds of nature, including birdsongs and water sounds, lower stress, promote calmness and improve mood. Find a bench in your neighborhood under a tree or near water. Sit down, close your eyes and consciously listen to the natural sounds around you. Listen for birdsongs, rustling wind or trickling water. Try sitting for at least five minutes whenever you get a chance. Allow and enjoy calm to wash over you.” By the way, this concert is free too! And that’s exactly what I’m doing writing this in the late night calm on my front porch.

This may seem trivial and not worthy of a serious blog about culture, leadership, belonging and more. However, for all of us to go forward really well, we need more positive, optimistic thinking rather than a shrinking mindset. Our emotional muscles might need to get a little more fit too?

Think positively, think big, start small, act now,

- Lorne

One Millennial View: Well, as a graduate of the University of Arizona (a rival of Arizona State), it’s my duty to believe anyone from ASU is a scum devil (versus Sun Devil), and likely also a social deviant. However! That’s extreme bias, and intended to be a playful one at that. Wow though, ASU figured out how to make someone an expert on emotions? That’s unbelievable, literally. Bear Down!

- Garrett

Edited and published by Garrett Rubis

An Awe a Day Leads to a Better Way!

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