ROCK thru with more awe of the cycle of life
ABUNDANT LIVING SERIES
by Lee Havenga | December 19, 2024
The cycle of life, the profound rhythm of birth, growth, decay, and renewal, is one of the most universal and awe-inspiring aspects of existence. By contemplating life and death—the shared journey of every living being—we can unlock a profound sense of Respect and awe. As psychologist Dacher Keltner explains, awe arises when we encounter something vast that transcends our understanding of the world. In this article, we’ll explore how to use Respect for this ultimate commonality to spark awe and enrich your life.
Awe in the Cycle of Life
A few months ago, I found a tiny hummingbird lifeless on the ground outside my home. As I carefully scooped it up, I was struck by the iridescent beauty of its feathers—patterns I could never see while it darted through the air. Even in its stillness, it sparked awe: a reminder of life’s fragility and beauty, and the intricate wonders present in every being’s cycle of life.
This capacity to experience awe is unique to our awareness of life and death. Birth, caregiving, growth, and even the changes of seasons mirror this cycle, offering moments to pause, reflect, and marvel.
“Death is not the opposite of life but a part of it.”
― Unknown
RESPECT
Apply it
Techniques to Spark Awe Through Respecting the Cycle of Life
1. Celebrating Personal Growth (10-15 minutes)
Consider how much you’ve grown emotionally, intellectually, or spiritually since childhood. Recognizing your own journey can spark awe for life’s transformative power.
Technique: Write a letter to your younger self, reflecting on the challenges and triumphs that shaped who you are today. As described in Daring Greatly by Brené Brown, reflecting on your growth can foster a deeper connection to the richness of life (Brown, 2012).
2. Reflecting on Death: Finding Beauty in Endings (10-15 minutes)
Death, while somber, can also inspire awe when viewed through the lens of transformation. Rituals around death—lighting candles, sharing stories, or visiting gravesites—can be grounding.
Technique: Visit a place that holds meaning for you, such as a cemetery or a site of natural decay, like a forest in autumn. Reflect on the role of endings in creating space for new beginnings, an idea deeply rooted in cyclical traditions worldwide (Gawande, 2014).
3. Exploring the Meaning of Life: Questions That Inspire Wonder (10-15 minutes)
What gives your life purpose? What legacy do you wish to leave behind? Asking these questions can connect you to the vast mystery of human existence.
Technique: Set aside 10 minutes to journal your thoughts on the meaning of life. Inspired by Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning, this exercise can spark awe by aligning your actions with a sense of purpose (Frankl, 1959).
Respecting the cycle of life—the shared journey of every living being—allows us to experience awe in moments of life and death. By pausing to honor life’s mysteries, we connect with something greater than ourselves.
ROCK thru by finding awe in the cycle of life, and let it inspire you to live abundantly every day.
XO ~ Lee
Sources:
Brown, Brené. Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead. Gotham Books, 2012.
Frankl, Viktor E. Man’s Search for Meaning. Beacon Press, 1959.
Gawande, Atul. Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End. Metropolitan Books, 2014.
Keltner, Dacher. Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life Penguin Press, 2023.
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