OUR BUSY LIVES ARE AWE-DEPRIVED - Awe begets awe. As we take notice of the awe-inspiring aspects of our world, we start to notice awe and wonder wherever we go. We gasp at flowers sparkling in the sunlight, and stop to drink in the song of birds in the trees or stand on the hill to better watch the wind rushing through the grass. Then our eyes shift to the people around us. The image of God is etched in each one of them. This is a great time to get out and have some fun in God’s world. Sit quietly and take some deep breaths in and out. Close your eyes and remind yourself of the sights, sounds, fragrances, tastes and textures of your day. Listen to God’s presence in the day and contemplate what God’s spirit might say to you. Since a regular dose of awe makes us physically, emotionally and spiritually healthy, not to mention more caring and compassionate, this is all to our detriment. Awe and wonder change the way we look at ourselves and our world, reorienting our thinking and our actions away from ourselves to the needs of those around us. It is fun and inspirational, connecting us to God in vital and enriching ways. I am increasingly convinced that rediscovering child-like wonder is essential for our spiritual health too. Did you know that a daily dose of awe makes us more caring and compassionate people? Regular reminiscing and nature walks make us healthier physically, emotionally and spiritually. Gratitude transforms our lives and our faith in incredible ways.

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Our Busy Lives Are Awe-Deprived

Listen to God’s presence in the day and contemplate what God’s spirit might say to you

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Awe begets awe. As we take notice of the awe-inspiring aspects of our world, we start to notice awe and wonder wherever we go. We gasp at flowers sparkling in the sunlight, and stop to drink in the song of birds in the trees or stand on the hill to better watch the wind rushing through the grass. Then our eyes shift to the people around us. The image of God is etched in each one of them. This is a great time to get out and have some fun in God’s world. Sit quietly and take some deep breaths in and out. Close your eyes and remind yourself of the sights, sounds, fragrances, tastes and textures of your day. 

By Sheridan Voysey

Here Are 6 Ways to Find Wonder Again

 ‘We live in an awe-deprived world,’ writes Christine Sine.

‘We sit in front of computers, not under trees and rarely take time to notice the grandeur of God’s world and of those we share it with.’

Since a regular dose of awe makes us physically, emotionally and spiritually healthy, not to mention more caring and compassionate, this is all to our detriment.

How can we break the spell and regain a sense of awe again?

Christine is a contemplative activist, passionate gardener, and author of The Gift of Wonder: Creative Practices for Delighting in God.

It’s a delight to welcome her here for this inspiring guest post.

Too Busy, Too Distracted

It’s awe and wonder season here in Seattle.

Spring is still in full swing. The daffodils and tulips have faded but now rhododendrons, azaleas and dogwoods greet us every time we walk around our neighbourhood.

The leaves are just as spectacular. Who knew there were so many shades of green in the world?

 I point them out to my friends but they tell me they are too busy or too distracted to take notice for more than a cursory glance.

Sadly, though children experience awe a hundred times a day, adults rarely do.

So much of what seems miraculous to a child adults dismiss as unimportant.

Or they rationalise it away with scientific knowledge destroying the mystery and wonder of God in the process.

We live in an awe-deprived world.

We sit in front of computers, not under trees and rarely take time to notice the grandeur of God’s world and of those we share it with.

Yet awe and wonder change the way we look at ourselves and our world, reorienting our thinking and our actions away from ourselves to the needs of those around us.

The Awe-and-Wonder Walk

This month, spurred on by the launch of my book The Gift of Wonder, I have added a “daily dose of awe” to my spiritual disciplines.

My husband and I have rechristened our daily walks “awe and wonder walks” pointing out to each other the blossom-laden trees and reds and yellows of flowers that take our breath away.

Sometimes we stop for a few minutes just to admire them, inhale their fragrance and touch their velvety softness. It is fun and inspirational, connecting us to God in vital and enriching ways.

I am increasingly convinced that rediscovering child-like wonder is essential for our spiritual health too.

It was this conviction that prompted me to write The Gift of Wonder in which I explore twelve childlike characteristics that I think make us fit for God’s kingdom.

Did you know that a daily dose of awe makes us more caring and compassionate people?

Regular reminiscing and nature walks make us healthier physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Gratitude transforms our lives and our faith in incredible ways.

Fly With the Shutters Up

My own growing joy and delight from my “daily dose of awe” experiences encouraged me to apply the same principal to other activities.

On the plane, I am the one with my window shutter up when everyone else is trying to see their screens.

I am inspired by the landscape we pass over. I look down at the meandering rivers shining in the morning sunlight.

That’s God doodling, I exclaim.

The Bible too is full of awe. We hear it in David’s exclamation of praise in Psalm 65:8, for example:

“The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders

Where morning dawns, where evening fades,

You call forth songs of joy.”

Awe Begets Awe

Awe begets awe.

As we take notice of the awe-inspiring aspects of our world, we start to notice awe and wonder wherever we go.

We gasp at flowers sparkling in the sunlight, and stop to drink in the song of birds in the trees or stand on the hill to better watch the wind rushing through the grass.

Then our eyes shift to the people around us. The image of God is etched in each one of them.

It is not just our friends and family who give us a sense of awe. The resilience of the homeless and the strength of the abandoned also inspire us.

Opening my eyes to notice the awe inspiring world in which we live and the awe inspiring people we share it with has transformed my faith.

I want to continue noticing the wonder of the changing seasons and immerse myself in their beauty.

I want to increasingly be drawn into the presence of our fun loving, joy filled God.

This is a great time to get out and have some fun in God’s world. Will you join me in discovering the wonder of God and of God’s world?

Take the awe and wonder challenge with me. See how many miracles unfold before you each day.

Six Ways to Wonder

Let’s get out and give ourselves a good dose of awe and wonder this week. Here are six things you can do.

1 – Get Out Into Nature

Go for a walk in your favourite park or forest, or a picnic at your favourite beach, fully prepared to savour the experience with all your senses – listening, looking, tasting, touching and smelling what you encounter. Look around at the trees and their leaves. How many different shapes and colours do you see?

2 – See the World Differently

Look through the lens of your camera or phone. What new perspective does this bring to the scene?

3 – Take Notice of the Small Things

Pick up an unusually shaped rock or shell. What attracted you to this object? What does it remind you of? Hold it in your hand. Touch it against your skin. How does it feel? How is it different from other objects around you?

4 – Slow Down and Notice

Now find a quiet place to sit to contemplate your treasure. Use your crayons and permanent markers to create a pattern on it. Perhaps there are already patterns in the object that you can highlight. What comes to you as you paint? What does this small piece of creation tell you about God?

5 – Seek Out What Gives you Goosebumps

Now that your sense of awe has been stimulated, reflect back over your day. What else triggered a sense of awe in you? Was it an unexpected smile, a shared story, waves glistening on the sand? Try to make a list of at least ten “miracles” of awe and wonder that you experienced. How could you nurture more regular awareness of miracles like these?

6 – Make Space for Silence

Sit quietly and take some deep breaths in and out. Close your eyes and remind yourself of the sights, sounds, fragrances, tastes and textures of your day. Listen to God’s presence in the day and contemplate what God’s spirit might say to you. Is there a prayer, song, drawing, or other response that comes to mind?

Article supplied with thanks to Sheridan Voysey.

About the Author: Sheridan Voysey is a writer, speaker and broadcaster on faith and spirituality. His books include Resilient, Resurrection Year, and Unseen Footprints. Get his FREE eBook Five Practices for a Resilient Life here.

In today's world real hope is hard to find. That's why Hope 103.2 exists: to bring the message of hope to our community through a family-friendly, safe listening environment.

We won't be quick to criticise or condemn. And we won't play on people's fears. Hope 103.2 will be ready to celebrate what's good in society and culture.

https://hope1032.com.au/stories/life/health-and-fitness/2020/our-busy-lives-are-awe-deprived-here-are-6-ways-to-find-wonder-again/

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CLAIRALIENCE : Miraculous Sixth Sense - Believers consider clairalience to be a miraculous part of the "sixth sense" that helps people access knowledge spiritually, beyond their physical senses. Experiencing clairalience means smelling a fragrance that comes from a spiritual source (such as God or His angels) rather than a physical one. You suddenly smell something that has symbolic significance to you, without having any physical stimuli near your nose to create the scent.

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Clairalience: Miraculous Sixth Sense

What is the Clairalience 
Form of ESP?

Is Clairalience Part of a Miraculous Sixth Sense?

by Whitney Hopler

Clairalience (which means "clear smelling) is a form of extrasensory perception (ESP) that involves getting psychic impressions through your sense of smell.

Believers consider clairalience to be a miraculous part of the "sixth sense" that helps people access knowledge spiritually, beyond their physical senses.

Experiencing clairalience means smelling a fragrance that comes from a spiritual source (such as God or His angels) rather than a physical one.

You suddenly smell something that has symbolic significance to you, without having any physical stimuli near your nose to create the scent.

The Sweet Scent of Roses

If you smell roses while you're praying or meditating but there are no natural roses around you, the scent likely indicates the presence of God's Holy Spirit or one of His angels with you.

Roses are a sacred symbol of God's love.

God may choose to encourage you as you seek Him by sending you the sweet scent of roses through clairalience.

Fragrances that Remind You of Loved Ones Who have Died

You may also experience clairalience after people you love have died, through scent messages that remind you of them.

For instance, you may smell your mother's favorite perfume suddenly while thinking of her or praying for her -- even though her actual perfume isn't physically around you.

Or, you may smell the aroma of your friend's favorite meal, fried chicken, when you're thinking about him or praying for him -- even though no actual food is nearby.

Some people believe that such signs are messages that their loved ones send to them directly from the afterlife.

Others believe that God sends the signs (sometimes through His angels) to comfort them in their grief with the assurance that their loved ones are in heaven.

Whitney Hopler has covered stories about faith professionally since 1994. She believes in both angels and miracles, and welcomes readers from all perspectives to learn more about these exciting topics. 

Experience

Throughout Whitney’s career, she has researched angels and miracles extensively. Whitney, who has some personal experience with angelic encounters and miraculously answered prayers, has also professionally interviewed people who say they have encountered angels or experienced miracles. She enjoys communicating information about angels and miracles to challenge readers to consider how God may have been at work in those situations. Whitney has served as the religion editor for a secular newspaper chain in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, as well as an editor on staff at Crosswalk.com and The Salvation Army’s national magazines. She has written for a variety of national publications, including the Guideposts magazine Angels on Earth.

Education

Whitney graduated with honors from George Mason University, where she studied comparative religion and earned a bachelor’s degree in English with a concentration in writing.

Whitney Hopler

Angels and miracles can show glimpses of God at work and encourage people whose lives they touch. Whether you’re a believer or a skeptic, you’re welcome here as we explore stories of angels and miracles and what lessons those stories may teach us. I believe that each of our individual stories are all connected to the ultimate story of what God is doing in the world, so I look forward to hearing your stories. As we consider angels and miracles together, we can all enrich our spiritual journeys!

https://www.thoughtco.com/clairalience-clear-smelling-form-of-esp-124709