Why An Eclipse (and Creativity) Matters So Much: 3 Questions
Humans need awe.
Wonder is essential to human well-being.
Research suggests that feeling awe together makes people more likely to feel like part of a group and to cooperate with each other. Awe contributes to a heightened sense of meaning and purpose, and seems to drive both spiritual feelings and scientific curiosity.
In short, awesome experiences bring humans together.
Even when they’re overwhelming.
As a 25-year New Yorker, I have lived in this chaotic city through a 2-day blackout, 9/11, Hurricane Sandy and floods.
These experiences, devastating and terrifying, were awesome: “extremely impressive or daunting; inspiring great admiration or fear,” as Webster’s Dictionary defines the word.
So was last week’s eclipse across North America.
For a few short hours, we gathered with neighbors on our roof deck and stopped.
We gazed at this wonderful natural phenomenon together, experiencing something rare and wild.
Awe is also linked to creativity.
Creativity is woven throughout religions and cultures the world over, basing origins myths on gods shaping all matter. Gods are described as the original artists.
Creativity helps us make sense of life. We create stories from the Bible to Star Wars to give meaning, hope, and purpose in an oftentimes cold, chaotic existence.
And creativity isn’t just a lone artist, working away in isolation. Most awesome art is made and experienced collectively.
When we gather for creative experiences we experience a small taste of this awesomeness:
Live dance or ballet
Live music
Art museums
Sculptured gardens and parks
As a creative leadership coach and artist, I’m fascinated by the creative process and works of art that act like magnets to bring people together.
So I invite you to answer 3 questions about your experiences of AWE and CREATIVITY:
Reflecting on your own experiences of awe. Whether a natural phenomena like an eclipse or events like live performances, how do you believe these moments have influenced your sense of connection with others and your willingness to cooperate or collaborate?
Can you recall a specific moment when you felt awe in a group setting, such as watching a live performance or witnessing a breathtaking scene in nature? How did sharing that experience with others enhance or alter your perception of it?
Consider the role of creativity in your life: whether through artistic expression, problem-solving, or innovative thinking. How has engaging in creative activities contributed to your sense of purpose and understanding of the world around you?