Last week, for the second time this year, there was magic in the sky. Many of us were instantly transported to an Icelandic Fairy Tale as we gazed into dark skies lit up with the Northern Lights. We are currently halfway through a 30 year “solar maximum”, which means the Aurora Borealis have been visible in parts of North America that would normally never witness this wondrous spectacle. Earlier this year, millions of Americans also witnessed a Total Solar Eclipse. At the same time, there has been emerging research and published works highlighting the science of “Wonder and Awe”. I first learned about this concept listening to a podcast and have been fascinated ever since.
According to Dr. Dasher Kelter, professor of psychology at UC, Berkely and the faculty director of the Greater Good Science Center “People find awe in the “eight wonders of life,” which are:
- The moral beauty of others
- Collective movement
- Nature
- Visual design
- Music
- Spirituality
- Big ideas
- Encountering the beginning and end of life.
The trends in wellness the last several years seem to mirror these “eight wonders”. Forest bathing, foraging and hiking took over TikTok during the pandemic, as more people were getting outside to find “COVID safe” activities to pass the time. The research and stories shared around folks exploring “Plant Medicines” have dominated the wellness spaces and show promising applications for folks facing end of life anxieties and looking to deepen their spiritual connections. Sometimes it seems like the whole world is “Microdosing” something! These “Eight Wonders” seem to be extremely relevant to the things people are exploring in their mental health journeys.
As a Peer Support Specialist, it’s my job to support folks to try whatever it is they think might make their life better, easier, gentler or will support their goals. Whenever someone shares an interest or curiosity in the awe and wonders of nature, I do my best to grow that spark! I have seen the way a little bit of effort to experience “awesome” has made a monumental difference in someone’s life.
Years ago, I decided to join my local “Mycological Association” which is a fancy word for Mushroom Club. For 25$ a year, I get to make new friends and learn more about identifying medicinal and edible mushrooms. We go on foraging trips, have mushroom potlucks and attend organized events with notable Mycologists sharing fascinating information about the magical world of fungi. What started for me as a curiosity has enriched my life in ways I never expected, bringing life-long friends and a supportive community into my life. As a Peer, when I partner with someone looking to make new friends or learn a new skill, I will often share my experience with my Mushroom Club. There are clubs like this all over the US, including Rock and Mineral Clubs, Sports Teams, Reading Clubs, Astronomy Clubs and so much more. Plenty of options exist to cultivate wonder and experience the so-called “Eight Wonders Of Life”.
Earlier this Spring, many of us witnessed a total solar eclipse for the first time in the US since 2017. After learning that the “Path Of Totality” was going to be only a few hours from my home, I decided to plan my first total solar eclipse viewing. On April 8th, 2024 after many hours of driving, a sleepless night in a hotel and months of pouring over endless data I finally had my 5 minutes of total awe.
After hours of anticipation and nervous chatter on the stunning white sand beaches of Lake Ontario the time had finally come. The murmur of the people dotting the beach of the lake went silent as we all held our breath for the moment we’d been waiting for. The seagulls screamed above us and the sounds of the lake gently lapping at the shore became louder. At around 3pm, the seagulls went silent, the skies darkened in the distance, as shadows raced across the ocean-sized lake. The “peeper” frogs began singing in the nearby pond followed by a collective gasp in the crowd as we all witnessed this natural wonder. As the Moon and Sun aligned for totality, hoots and cheers echoed across the lake followed by a silence of wonder and contemplation. For a few minutes, it was as if we were watching two sunsets happening simultaneously on either side of the path. As a generally chatty and talkative person I found myself for once speechless, with joyful tears blurring my eyes. By the end of this miraculous event, my jaw burned from smiling so big and I felt blissfully high from this once in a lifetime experience.
I have not always made time to show up for the joys of life. I’m someone who has navigated chaotic substance use and mental health challenges for much of my life. When I reflect on my childhood, I can easily remember the wonder and curiosity I felt for nature and the mysteries of the universe. For me, tapping into Awe and Wonder now means a return to that kid who was far wiser than she knew! In my journey of wellness and exploration of getting better, I have found myself gravitating towards the same curious energy I cultivated as a child. Kelter’s research has demonstrated that “Awe opens our minds to the truth that we as individuals are part of something much larger than the self.”
The research around Awe and Wonder offers a glimpse of what’s possible when we look holistically at our mental health. My hope is that folks like me who have struggled to find balance and overcome mental health challenges can find moments to explore the awe and wonder in this life. Peer Support can offer a way to connect folks with the glimmers and sparks that this world has to offer, whether it’s discovering a tiny mushroom or watching the sun eclipse in the sky.
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