Respect the AWE.

A valuable lesson for me from my mother about respecting awe.

Our whole family was at my mum's home for a get together. That's about 13 of us. My father had already passed away for a few years already.

We were all in the living room talking. Kids were doing their thing. Then my nephew, Verghese, about 4 years of age, called me specifically and said "Come come and look at the moon". He was standing on the sofa next to the window and looking out at the night sky. The moon was full.

I replied saying "I have seen the moon before lah" then continued with the conversation with my brothers.

My mother saw this and did not say anything. She just quietly got up and went to the kitchen. Once in the kitchen she called for me. I think she did not want embarrass me and also not to make a scene in the living room.

When I was in the kitchen, she said politely but very firmly, "Do not ever kill awe. Awe is sacred".

I was so surprised and asked what she was talking about. She explained that I had extinguished the awe in Verghese when he was trying to share awe with me. When someone is in awe, join in, admire it and absorb it. Let it fill you. Learn from it.

Be humble and be in awe.

From that day onward, I try my very best never to say, "I know that" or "You do not know that?" or "Nothing great". Instead I say, "Is't it great" or "It's wonderful" or "It's beautiful" and of course "Wow!"

Thanks Amma!

Picture from the following link.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rulenumberone2/