"Rippling ahead of me were mountain after mountain, so numerous that they were nameless . . ." So delightfully expressed. I read lots of stuff and lesser writers attempt to over word craft imagery resulting in painful purple prose. Oh yeah, the ideas were good too.
Thanks, Joe, for sharing this important reminder of the connection between awe, humility and peace. And thanks for including the inspiring excerpt from Sagan.
Such a worthy perspective presented so beautifully. Reminded me of an experience I had years ago, on a Hopi mesa, looking out over the land below, standing there with a Hopi man we had given a ride to. Thanks Joe.
This would make another good talk. People LOVED your talk. Someone said it was the best they had ever heard on a Sunday but I forget who said it. We both loved it too.
Many thanks, Alice. It was a talk at the Long Island Ethical Humanist Society on grief -- which was the topic of my previous essay.
Interesting question: Can those experiences be replicated? Or, do they lose their enchantment the second time?
Inspiring article putting humans in perspective.
"Rippling ahead of me were mountain after mountain, so numerous that they were nameless . . ." So delightfully expressed. I read lots of stuff and lesser writers attempt to over word craft imagery resulting in painful purple prose. Oh yeah, the ideas were good too.
Thanks, Joe, for sharing this important reminder of the connection between awe, humility and peace. And thanks for including the inspiring excerpt from Sagan.
And thanks, Ed. I was a Carl Sagan fan, and as a kid loved astronomy - I still do!
Another wonderful essay. Thank you for taking the time and effort to compose and share your thoughts.
Many thanks, Richard. It is something I do almost daily. It is becoming a habit!
Such a worthy perspective presented so beautifully. Reminded me of an experience I had years ago, on a Hopi mesa, looking out over the land below, standing there with a Hopi man we had given a ride to. Thanks Joe.
I suspect that another aspect of awe-inspiring experiences is that they make a deep impression and are long remembered.
This would make another good talk. People LOVED your talk. Someone said it was the best they had ever heard on a Sunday but I forget who said it. We both loved it too.
Yes. I can go right back there and even feel the air.