Weekly Quotation: August 20, 2025: Awe And Wonder

He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed.
– Albert Einstein

Awe is a powerful emotion defined as a feeling that what we are witnessing is beyond our current understanding. But our perception of awe and wonder evolves throughout our lifetimes. For example:

As children, our curiosity and wonder are fueled by the pure joy of discovery. A messy papier-mache volcano built on the kitchen table, or a curious question about the stars, is enough to stimulate our search for answers.

As we get older, our perspective shifts. The world begins to measure us, and we, in turn, begin to measure ourselves. Our sense of worth becomes tied to external rewards—such as grades, test scores, titles, and salaries. The process of learning and discovery becomes a means to an end, rather than a joy in itself.

We get so engrossed in our daily routine—rushing to appointments, ticking off to-do lists, and worrying over expectations—that we overlook the wonder in the world around us. Consider how often you’re in such a hurry while driving that you fail to notice your surroundings. Do you recall the turns you made, the roads you took, or anything that happened during your commute? 

Now in my sixties, I consciously strive to appreciate life’s beauty and complexity, taking the time to marvel at nature. This includes the intricate details of plants and flowers in my garden, as well as observing Jupiter’s inner moons or the Pleiades constellation through my telescope on a clear night. This past Friday, at 5 a.m., while walking our dog, I noticed the stunning alignment of Venus and Jupiter on the eastern horizon. This sight filled me with such awe and reminded me of the insignificance of my daily concerns—what I needed to do that morning or what I hadn’t accomplished the day before. It reaffirmed my faith in God and highlighted my small place within these mysteries.