From years of experience as a therapist, I have learned the importance of having awe, ahhh and aha’s in life. These bring peace, balance and joy into one’s life.
Awe is when one is inspired, a feeling of reverential respect mixed with wonder and sometimes fear in life. The birth of a child can bring awe. The symphony. A hike to the top of the mountain and seeing the view from above can bring on awe. Or a whale breaching in the vast ocean. What brings you awe? I practice awe almost every day when I do my morning walk. I walk to the highest point on my hill and from there I can see Saddleback Mountain (well on clear days, which is often in So Cal!). Some days bring on an even bigger awe when I see snow on it (Very rare but can happen here in Orange County, CA). Research says that when we feel awe, we are more likely to be generous towards others and feel fulfilled.
Ahhh is the discovery of joy, comfort or calming or a refreshing. A massage can bring on a great ahhh. Or after my morning walks I feel an ahhhhh. A real calm and refresh comes over me. The taste of certain foods may bring you ahhhh. A hug. The sound of bells. A sound bath. What brings ahhhh in to your life?
For me Aha is the satisfaction brought on by a surprise or triumph. It is the moment you realize something important. I have enjoyed in my work as a therapist seeing clients have their aha moments. Friends have said things to me that I have relished because they have said things that gave me a greater understanding of myself. Therapists in my life have graced me with aha moments. My first therapist told me “I played my cards close to my chest.” True in my youth. My second therapist in my 20s told me that my family of origin operated like a large Italian matriarchal family. True even though I am only 25% Italian.
Human beings need their basic needs met to survive. Food, shelter, clothing… But I as a therapist I am interested in what human beings want:
Happiness
Love
Fulfillment
Purpose/Meaning
Understanding
I believe that awe, ahhh and aha can be instrumental in bringing these wants into our lives. I also believe that we can create lives that bring these components into our daily lives. We can practice them. And in return our awes, ahhhs and ahas will leave us feeling happier, fulfilled, purpose, understood and express more love.