In Awe of the Ordinary

In our podcast that posted on August 1, 2026, we discussed how we have been changed in some fundamental ways by experiences, events, tragedies and encounters with people. Those changes may result in shifts of self-perception, identity, world views, beliefs, values – fundamental ways that we experience and interact with the world around us, or within our inner world.

Along the way we shifted to discussion of whether or not change only happens with “big” events, “aha” moments that rattle us to the core, and foundation-shaking insights? What would it mean to be open to learning from what has become the ordinary, the everydayness of life, or routine encounters with friends, family and strangers?

I left our conversation thinking about that. We all seemed to wonder why it takes something big to get our attention. We admitted our struggle with disciplined mindfulness, presence and openness to the wonder of the world around us.

I heard us use words that left me with a desire to acknowledge the possibility of “awe of the ordinary”. What can I learn about myself and my world in this encounter, from this conversation, or from this walk along the mountain stream?

My friend Claude AI says that scholars believe that one obstacle is habituation. “Our brains are wired to stop registering things once they're predictable…Ordinary things become invisible precisely because they work, because the're reliable, because we've already solved them mentally.” That is, they don’t smack us on the forehead with a threat or a “big” insight. So, we don’t interrogate the moment. We lose our sense of curiosity. We are not fully present to the encounter. That is, we diminish awe and wonder.

However, most of my growth has been incremental and developmental. While I can point to big shifts, most of my life is lived among the “ordinary” things, the routines of everyday life. I have been fortunate to have had friends and mentors along the way who have encouraged me to slow down, listen and reflect on these activities. But I know I still need to take more personal accountability for my own growth and change.

Here is what I am committing to do:

1) Slow down enough to actually look at something rather than just categorize it.

2) Practice curiosity – ask more questions of my experiences and encounters.

3) Expand gratitude practices specifically aimed at the unremarkable (not just the good news, or big stuff).

Peace