The Emotions Library project is a collection of stories related to the emotion(s) we experience. Stories bring meaning and clarity, helping us understand our emotions better. We do this so that everyone has access to knowledge, gains emotional literacy, and develops self-awareness. Today, we’re exploring one of the most powerful and uplifting emotions humans experience: amazement.
Amazement is one of those feelings that stops us in our tracks and reminds us how beautiful life can be. It’s that moment when we’re completely caught off guard by something incredible—a stunning view, a random act of kindness, or a song that hits just right. Amazement tells us to pause and take it in, showing us what we love most, whether that’s nature, art, or connecting with others. Often, we feel an urge to share it, like telling a friend or snapping a quick photo, because joy feels even better when it’s shared. Amazement is a gentle reminder to slow down, stay open, and appreciate the unexpected wonders that life has to offer.
Story: Feeling awestruck by something unexpected or incredible.
Impulse: Express awe or share the moment with others.
Etymology: From Middle English amasen, meaning to astonish or confound.
Purpose: Amazement encourages appreciation for the extraordinary in life.
Emotional Regulation and Journaling
In collaboration with Calm3D, we offer a safe space for experiencing and nurturing the emotion of amazement. Here, you can explore moments of wonder, joy, and awe in an environment designed to evoke peace and openness. It’s a space to reflect on what amazement reveals about your deepest values, inviting you to connect with feelings of inspiration, gratitude, and discovery.
Visit www.playcalm3d.com to engage with your emotions, embrace the beauty of the unexpected, and let amazement guide you toward joy, presence, and self-compassion.
Reflective Questions
1. What surprised you most about this experience?
2. How can you carry this sense of wonder into other areas of life?
3. Who could you share this experience with to deepen its impact?
Let’s dive into Camille’s story and discover how she learned to embrace life’s astonishing moments with amazement—reminding us all of the wonder that exists in everyday life.
Feeling Awestruck by Something Unexpected
Camille was a practical person, someone who believed in plans, structure, and predictability. But one autumn afternoon, after weeks of stressful workdays, she felt an urge to escape her daily grind. She took a drive out into the countryside, intending only to get a breath of fresh air. Soon, she found herself parking beside an old forest trail—a decision that surprised even her. On an impulse, she stepped onto the path.
The trail was framed by tall trees with leaves in vivid reds, oranges, and yellows, creating a scene that glowed in the crisp autumn light. Camille walked, feeling unexpectedly light, captivated by the beauty surrounding her.
When she reached the top of a small hill, the forest opened into a clearing, where the setting sun casts golden light over the landscape. Camille stood still, overcome by the scene’s quiet grandeur. She felt something rare and precious in that moment—awe, wonder, a childlike joy she hadn’t felt in years. She was amazed.
Impulse: Expressing and Sharing Awe
One of the most beautiful aspects of amazement is the impulse it creates to share that feeling with others. Amazement is not a passive emotion; it has an energy, a contagious quality that urges us to pass it along. For Camille, standing in that glowing forest clearing, this impulse arose as an almost overwhelming desire to call someone, to share what she was seeing and feeling. She knew that describing the experience would be challenging—how do you put the golden light, the warmth, and the humbling beauty of that moment into words? Yet she also sensed that sharing it would make the experience richer and more lasting.
This urge to share amazement is a way of amplifying our joy, creating a sense of connection through wonder. When we’re amazed, we’re moved by something so extraordinary that it feels like a secret too good to keep to ourselves. It’s why we pull out our phones to snap photos of a breathtaking view or why we feel the need to tell a friend about a chance encounter that changed our day. Sharing amazement is a way of saying, “Look at this! Isn’t it incredible?” It brings us closer to others by letting them see what moves us, inspiring them to look for similar wonders in their own lives.
Camille’s experience is a reminder that sharing our moments of awe invites others to experience the joy we feel. By talking about, writing about, or even quietly savoring a moment of wonder with someone close, we magnify its impact. Sharing amazement doesn’t just deepen the connection between us and the experience; it also creates a bond between us and the people we share it with. When we invite others to join in our awe, we pass along a bit of our joy and, in turn, give them the chance to discover beauty in new and surprising places.
The Origins of 'Amazed'
The word amazed comes from the Middle English amasen, which means “to astonish or confound.” When we feel amazed, we’re momentarily stunned, struck by something extraordinary that feels beyond ordinary comprehension. For Camille, amazement shattered her usual sense of control, opening her mind and heart to the unknown beauty of life. Moments of amazement remind us that life is full of surprises that can astonish us in profound ways, making us feel humble yet deeply connected to something greater.
Emotional Literacy: Embracing Amazement
Emotional literacy—recognizing, naming, and understanding our feelings—is essential to fully embrace amazement. By understanding amazement as more than a fleeting surprise, Camille was able to tap into the richness of this experience, recognizing awe, gratitude, and a new sense of presence. Here’s how emotional literacy helped her:
Mindfulness and Presence: In that clearing, Camille felt fully present. Amazement quiets the noise of daily life and draws us into the moment. Emotional literacy allows us to savor this sense of stillness and make it a refuge in stressful times.
Gratitude and Humility: Camille’s amazement at the forest’s beauty led her to a deep sense of gratitude. Amazement reminds us that life is vast and wondrous, humbling us and shifting our perspective toward gratitude for things we can’t control or explain.
Resilience and Perspective: Amazement provides us with a renewed sense of perspective. For Camille, this moment allowed her to step back from her usual worries and see the larger beauty of life. By understanding and embracing amazement, we strengthen our ability to find joy and peace in the unexpected.
Purpose: Amazement as an Invitation to See the Extraordinary
Amazement encourages us to appreciate the extraordinary in life, reminding us that beauty, wonder, and joy can exist in unexpected places. For Camille, the experience was a reminder that life holds moments of breathtaking beauty beyond the routines and responsibilities that often dominate her days. By allowing herself to feel and reflect on this amazement, Camille began to see how she could cultivate a sense of wonder in her everyday life. Amazement reminds us that the world is filled with possibilities waiting to be discovered, often when we least expect them.
Reflective Questions
Reflecting on moments of amazement can help us carry that sense of wonder forward. Here are a few questions that can guide you in deepening your appreciation for life’s surprises:
What surprised you most about this experience?
How can you carry this sense of wonder into other areas of life?
Who could you share this experience with to deepen its impact?
Final Thoughts
Camille’s journey reminds us that amazement is an emotion worth seeking, a way to enrich our lives and foster connection with others. The next time you find yourself awestruck by something beautiful, remember to pause, savor it, and consider sharing it with someone who might appreciate the experience. Amazement has the power to transform ordinary moments into extraordinary memories. By embracing it, we allow wonder to become a guiding light in our lives, connecting us to both the world around us and the people we share it with.
If Camille’s story resonates with you, remember that moments of awe and amazement open doors to deeper self-understanding and connection. Emoli Cards can be a valuable tool for capturing and exploring these powerful feelings. They provide a way to express your emotions and uncover what truly moves you.
For a more in-depth experience, consider booking an Emotions-Based Coaching session. Together, we’ll delve into your emotions, build awareness, and cultivate a sense of wonder and resilience. Embrace your journey to emotional empowerment—your path to a more joyful, connected life begins here.
Comments