Finding the awe within.
In today’s world, the pressures of society and the relentless pace of technology and social media often lead us down a path of self-doubt and endless comparison. The narrative is all too familiar: we're constantly bombarded with messages telling us we're not enough. Advertisements subtly coerce us into believing that happiness is just one purchase away, while social media feeds present a curated glimpse of perfection, setting unrealistic standards for our lives and appearances.
This environment creates a hamster wheel of seeking validation. We ping others for approval and measure our worth by likes, follows, and external affirmations. But this pursuit is Sisyphean; the goalposts of 'enough' keep shifting, and genuine fulfillment remains elusive. Amidst this noise, spaces for unconditional love and positive regard are scarce, leaving us in a vortex of perceived inadequacy.
This constant chase, this incessant need for external validation, is a recipe not just for unhappiness but for profound disquietude and sickness. It erodes our sense of self and our ability to appreciate the inherent wonder of our own being. But what if we could step off this hamster wheel and see ourselves in a new light? What if we could recognize the awe-inspiring nature of our existence, not as a platitude, but as a profound truth?
As my patients/clients know - I am not one to “say nice things to make you feel better” - rather, it is my view to speak to the truth and if that makes you feel better, at least you’re standing on concrete ground. Here’s some truths:
You are worthy.
You are deserving.
You are good.
Most days, we don’t feel that way and when we don’t feel that way or don’t believe that, we don't act out of that place. And so, we may do bad things, but we are not bad and most often we are hurting and have a great need for love, care, rest and healing.
So - this post is about recognizing what is true and finding the ‘awe’ that is within….you.
We Are Starstuff
Carl Sagan famously said, “We are made of starstuff.” This is not a poetic exaggeration; it's a scientific fact. The atoms that make up our bodies were formed in the interiors of ancient stars. The very elements that constitute our being – carbon, nitrogen, oxygen – have their origins in the cosmos. Just like the stars that light up the night sky, there's a luminosity to our existence that we seldom acknowledge.
I know this is going to sound a bit foolish, but stick with me for a moment. Do you remember seeing something that was awe-inspiring for the first time and you were blown away but then you saw it again and it didn’t have the same effect? It was no longer new. That’s what kinda happens with us as people - you’re no longer new, you’re just you. But, the wonders of the world do not lose their beauty just because someone has seen them twice. They retain that wonder, it is us that changes our experience of them and it’s possible to regain that ‘awe’ - that appreciation if we look a bit deeper, closer, take a new perspective.
Heartbeats: The average human heart beats around 100,000 times a day.
Equivalence: That's like a drummer keeping a steady beat for 24 hours without stopping. If you were to walk the same number of steps, you'd cover approximately 50 miles every day, a testament to the tireless work your heart does without rest.
Breathing: The average adult takes about 12 to 20 breaths per minute, totalling around 17,000-30,000 breaths per day.
Equivalence: If each breath were a book page, you'd flip through 17,000 to 30,000 pages daily. That's like reading "War and Peace" up to 60 times in a day, showcasing the constant and rhythmic effort of your lungs to sustain you.
Cells: The human body is made up of approximately 37.2 trillion cells.
Equivalence: If each cell were a person, they would outnumber the total human population on Earth by over 4,700 times. This is akin to the entire world's population being the city of New York in comparison to the cells in your body, highlighting the vast community of life working in unison within you.
Neurons: The brain contains roughly 86 billion neurons, each forming connections to other neurons, which could be as many as 10,000 synaptic connections for each neuron.
Equivalence: If each neuron and its connections were a road, you'd have a network far surpassing the total roadways on Earth. This network would be so vast and complex, it could circle the globe more than twice, representing the immense and intricate web of communication in your brain.
Blood Circulation: Your blood travels about 12,000 miles (19,312 kilometres) within your body every day.
Equivalence: That's nearly half the circumference of Earth, travelled by your blood every day. If you were to drive that distance, it would take you across the United States from coast to coast around four times.
Basically - you are magic. It would be lovely to be surrounded by people that could love unconditionally and spaces where comparison and self-hatred were not the norm, but until such spaces and communities exist everywhere, we need to build those spaces for ourselves, the people we love and the communities we hold.
Start with a simple thought - maybe something like:
I am a marvel of the cosmos (this is true!), a unique constellation of thoughts, emotions, and experiences (also true). My worth is inherent, not dictated by likes, trends, or external validation (true again!). Within me beats a heart as steadfast as the stars, and with each breath, I reclaim my peace and my place in this universe (something maybe you’re working on). I am a universe in miniature (true!), a testament to life’s magic and beauty.
Last Bite:
Take a moment today and every day to find your awe-within. Marvel at the magic of your person. You’ll be surprised to find how incredible you truly are.
