How to Move from Anxiety to Awe
Is it possible for awe to replace anxiety?
There was a sudden noise, and without warning, a huge wave reared up and spread over the sand, eating sunbather’s towels and anything else in its way.
It wasn’t as scary as a tsunami, this is the English Channel, after all, but the vastness of this bow wave thrilled me. It was as if it swept away my worries along with the beach toys.
I was awestruck.
Speaking of awe, you’ve probably heard the story about when John Wayne, a well-known cowboy actor, starred in The Greatest Story Ever Told as a centurion at Jesus’ crucifixion.
Wayne was known as a method actor, which is a polite way of saying he always played himself. When Wayne looked up at Jesus and said
his line,
“Truly, this was the Son of God.”
The Director, George Stevens, told him to ‘say it with awe’. Wayne’s response was to say,
“Awww, truly, this was the son of God.”
This may not be a true story, but why ruin a tale with details like accuracy when talking about awe?
Do you ever talk about awe? Probably not. Do you ever think about awe? Same answer I expect.
