#99 Looking up in awe

This morning, I visited la Cruz del Valle de los Caídos (Valley of the Fallen Cross), the tallest memorial cross in the world at 150 metres. It stands atop a granite outcrop and is surrounded by the scenic Gaudarrama mountains, approximately an hour outside Madrid. Beneath the cross lies a beautiful basilica carved into the mountainside. (For context, the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio is 38 metres tall)

Looking up at the cross of that enormous scale, looking out at the mountains and forests against a clear blue sky, and literally walking through a mountain inside the basilica, I felt a profound sense of awe.

The importance of awe

Awe is the feeling of being in the presence of something vast or transcendent, and it has profound benefits for well-being and human connection. Here are a few:

• Psychological: Awe expands perspective, reduces stress by lowering cortisol, and sparks curiosity for intellectual growth.

• Emotional: It boosts happiness through joy and gratitude and promotes humility by helping individuals feel part of something larger.

• Social: Awe fosters connection and belonging while inspiring altruism, making people more generous and cooperative.

• Physical: It supports health by reducing inflammation and improving immune function.

• Cognitive: Awe enhances creativity and expands time perception, reducing feelings of time pressure.

• Spiritual and existential: It deepens a sense of meaning and purpose while inspiring transcendence and spirituality.

I couldn’t have been at the cross for very long (I can’t confirm as I didn’t check my phone while there), but I felt like time slowed down massively. I left with a profound feeling of calm and real appreciation for all I’d seen and life in general.

Why it matters

Experiencing awe in daily life can profoundly benefit our overall well-being if we take the time and the initiative to put ourselves in situations to experience and appreciate it.

Common sources of awe don’t require big financial outlays, if at all. For me, nature is the biggest source of awe (sunrises and sunsets in particular), just requiring me to get out and about and, most importantly, slow down physically and mentally and open my eyes to what is around me. Other sources include:

• Nature: Vast landscapes, mountains, or starry skies.

• Art and music: Masterpieces that evoke strong emotional responses.

• Science and discovery: Insights into the universe’s complexity.

• Human achievement: Acts of courage, kindness, or innovation.

Implementation idea

When did you feel awe in the last week?

What will you do this week to induce those feelings?

— AJ

On my bedside table:

🎵 Album: DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, Bad Bunny

📰 Article: Britain should stop pretending it wants more economic growth, Financial Times

💬 Quote: “What makes night within us may leave stars.” - Victor Hugo

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