Have you ever caught a case of the “Don’t wannas!” or the “Ain’t gonnas!”? These are often signs that we are struggling against the headwinds in the soul. The day ahead feels futile. We feel empty and weak. There is no joy or hope energizing our will. We look ahead and mutter, “Don’t wanna and ain’t gonna!”
This is the Power of Awful! This is not simply a lack of positivity. It is a soul starved for hope. When looking at a challenge all it sees are hardships and risks. When facing a long climb up a rocky trail all it can think about are the boulders and sheer drops. “Awful” absorbs our energy and prepares us for failure. It allows us to avoid the day in the shade of the words, “What do you expect? The odds are against me. I never would have succeeded!” “Awful” has the power to steal away our will and comfort us in our expected failure.
Unfortunately, “Ain’t it Awful!” is also very contagious. I remember when I was a boy sitting with Dad and his brothers. They would infect each other with “Ain’t it awful” while playing dominos. An Uncle might say, “It was a bad week. I nearly got fired when the truck broke down.” Another Uncle would then interrupt by saying, “You think that’s bad, I had a flat on the highway and found out the spare had nail in it!” Then a third brother would speak up by announcing that he broke the axle on his trailer while taking the hogs to market. Round after rounds of “ain’t it awful” would be played until all greed that the best sob story had been told. The last speaker was the winner. But they were all infected.
There are days when our energy is low and the soul’s headwinds are blowing hard. There are moments when failure seem imminent and the air is sucked out of our soul. If we have been infected with “Ain’t it awful” then we will give out, give in, and give up. Success is no longer an option and we want to save whatever dignity we can from the defeat. “What could you expect. It was a lost cause!”
But there is an antidote for “Ain’t it awful.” And it is as easy as adding a couple letters to the phrase. “Ain’t it awe-full!”
Awe is an essential element to the healthy soul. It reminds us we are not alone in the world. There is something greater than ourselves that restores our souls and offers us hope. To be in awe is to experience the something that is beyond our creating. It awakens the possibilities in our path and helps us see beyond the sheer drops and boulders. It allows hope to begin to break through and burn off the fog of despair. It is impossible to feel awful when we are filled with awe!
This is the Power of Awful! This is not simply a lack of positivity. It is a soul starved for hope. When looking at a challenge all it sees are hardships and risks. When facing a long climb up a rocky trail all it can think about are the boulders and sheer drops. “Awful” absorbs our energy and prepares us for failure. It allows us to avoid the day in the shade of the words, “What do you expect? The odds are against me. I never would have succeeded!” “Awful” has the power to steal away our will and comfort us in our expected failure.
Unfortunately, “Ain’t it Awful!” is also very contagious. I remember when I was a boy sitting with Dad and his brothers. They would infect each other with “Ain’t it awful” while playing dominos. An Uncle might say, “It was a bad week. I nearly got fired when the truck broke down.” Another Uncle would then interrupt by saying, “You think that’s bad, I had a flat on the highway and found out the spare had nail in it!” Then a third brother would speak up by announcing that he broke the axle on his trailer while taking the hogs to market. Round after rounds of “ain’t it awful” would be played until all greed that the best sob story had been told. The last speaker was the winner. But they were all infected.
There are days when our energy is low and the soul’s headwinds are blowing hard. There are moments when failure seem imminent and the air is sucked out of our soul. If we have been infected with “Ain’t it awful” then we will give out, give in, and give up. Success is no longer an option and we want to save whatever dignity we can from the defeat. “What could you expect. It was a lost cause!”
But there is an antidote for “Ain’t it awful.” And it is as easy as adding a couple letters to the phrase. “Ain’t it awe-full!”
Awe is an essential element to the healthy soul. It reminds us we are not alone in the world. There is something greater than ourselves that restores our souls and offers us hope. To be in awe is to experience the something that is beyond our creating. It awakens the possibilities in our path and helps us see beyond the sheer drops and boulders. It allows hope to begin to break through and burn off the fog of despair. It is impossible to feel awful when we are filled with awe!
TIPS
How do we deal with the power of awful?
The preventative is to develop a daily practice of gratitude. Gratitude fills our sails and gives us the energy we need to withstand the headwinds. It reminds us that we are not alone and that there is more about our situation than we may be able to see in the present fog.
A daily practice of gratitude may include a journal of moments when you are grateful. It can be gratitude for something small or something more significant. It happens when we look for the little gifts we receive from our day. Be open to the good things that come your way that are welcomed but not expected, received but not sought after. Each of us are the beneficiaries of small gifts throughout the day if our eyes and soul are open to them.
Another way to foster gratitude is by remembering people and events that have made your life better. Look through an old picture album. Talk with a relative who remembers you as far back as possible. Listen for the voices of your family and friends as they speak in your mind. Gratitude will grow best when the ground has been prepared by a lifetime of grateful memories.
A third method is to “Kiss an angel good morning!” This is the title to an old C&W song. Charley Pride reminds us to find the angel in our life and let them know how important they are to us. We are not alone. Our angel may be our spouse, a good friend, a loyal co-worker, or a treasured mentor. The “kiss” is simply making contact with them and being reminded that we are not alone in this day. It could be a kiss (if appropriate) or a quick text/email. Such reminders help us to remember and appreciate the people who are gifts to our day.
However, what do we do when “awful” strikes suddenly. We need a moment of awe to open our day.
First, put yourself in the path of a miracle – look for the sunrise, Spend time with a flower Watch a bird feed its chicks. Savor a favorite meal. Listen to some good music. Allow yourself to awaken the world beyond your own struggles. Take a walk in the park or stroll through a museum. Take a few minutes to listen to some favored music. Allow awe to happen.
A second way to face the headwinds is to share your gratitude – It is also contagious! Think of a small or large “gift” you may have received and tell someone thank you. This could be a prayer of thanksgiving or a brief thank you note to a friend or co-worker. Gratitude has a way of echoing in our lives. It evokes gratitude in others and reinforces the gratitude in ourselves,
Neither of these will likely make the challenge you face any easier. But is will help you find the energy you need to deal with it. If you suffer a set-back it will be easier to accept and allow you to go to sleep ready to face it again without having to succumb to the headwinds.
I closing I share with you some words from a Missouri farmer. I met him at the end of a long day. He was dressed in his coveralls and had just climbed out of his pickup. By way of greeting I asked, “Well, are you done?” He looked at me with a smile and said, “I’m a farmer. I’m never done. I just quit for the night and get back at it in the morning.” Such is the power of the most hopeful people I know, farmers. They face the headwinds of “awful” every day but find their hope in the awe of the miracle of each new crop. “Ain’t life awe-full!”
The preventative is to develop a daily practice of gratitude. Gratitude fills our sails and gives us the energy we need to withstand the headwinds. It reminds us that we are not alone and that there is more about our situation than we may be able to see in the present fog.
A daily practice of gratitude may include a journal of moments when you are grateful. It can be gratitude for something small or something more significant. It happens when we look for the little gifts we receive from our day. Be open to the good things that come your way that are welcomed but not expected, received but not sought after. Each of us are the beneficiaries of small gifts throughout the day if our eyes and soul are open to them.
Another way to foster gratitude is by remembering people and events that have made your life better. Look through an old picture album. Talk with a relative who remembers you as far back as possible. Listen for the voices of your family and friends as they speak in your mind. Gratitude will grow best when the ground has been prepared by a lifetime of grateful memories.
A third method is to “Kiss an angel good morning!” This is the title to an old C&W song. Charley Pride reminds us to find the angel in our life and let them know how important they are to us. We are not alone. Our angel may be our spouse, a good friend, a loyal co-worker, or a treasured mentor. The “kiss” is simply making contact with them and being reminded that we are not alone in this day. It could be a kiss (if appropriate) or a quick text/email. Such reminders help us to remember and appreciate the people who are gifts to our day.
However, what do we do when “awful” strikes suddenly. We need a moment of awe to open our day.
First, put yourself in the path of a miracle – look for the sunrise, Spend time with a flower Watch a bird feed its chicks. Savor a favorite meal. Listen to some good music. Allow yourself to awaken the world beyond your own struggles. Take a walk in the park or stroll through a museum. Take a few minutes to listen to some favored music. Allow awe to happen.
A second way to face the headwinds is to share your gratitude – It is also contagious! Think of a small or large “gift” you may have received and tell someone thank you. This could be a prayer of thanksgiving or a brief thank you note to a friend or co-worker. Gratitude has a way of echoing in our lives. It evokes gratitude in others and reinforces the gratitude in ourselves,
Neither of these will likely make the challenge you face any easier. But is will help you find the energy you need to deal with it. If you suffer a set-back it will be easier to accept and allow you to go to sleep ready to face it again without having to succumb to the headwinds.
I closing I share with you some words from a Missouri farmer. I met him at the end of a long day. He was dressed in his coveralls and had just climbed out of his pickup. By way of greeting I asked, “Well, are you done?” He looked at me with a smile and said, “I’m a farmer. I’m never done. I just quit for the night and get back at it in the morning.” Such is the power of the most hopeful people I know, farmers. They face the headwinds of “awful” every day but find their hope in the awe of the miracle of each new crop. “Ain’t life awe-full!”
RSS Feed