We Need Awe More Than Ever

In this episode, Why We Need Awe More Than Ever

Yesterday morning, I slipped into the cool stillness of my backyard before dawn. The air was crisp, the silence deep—broken only by the faint rustling of leaves and the familiar calls of birds waking early.

Then I looked up. A thin crescent moon hung low in the east, with Venus just above it like a shining jewel. The sky was clear and full of stars, and for a moment, I felt something I hadn’t in a long time: Awe!

For thousands of years, the heavens have carried on their steady dance, untouched by human noise. No ruler, no election, no breaking news has ever changed their rhythm. And yet here I was, tempted to reach for my phone—to trade the eternal for the urgent.

Instead, I stayed. I watched the moonrise, the sky slowly lighten, and the world around me stir. Ducks passed overhead in a loose V, hummingbirds zipped past to visit their feeder, pausing mid-air as if curious about me sitting so still.

Little by little, the static in my mind faded. In its place came calm, perspective, even gratitude.

Time will pass, as it always does. The here and now will soon become memory. But in every moment, we have a choice: to drown in the noise—or to step aside and rediscover wonder.

So, my friends, when the world feels overwhelming, go outside. Look up. Find a sliver of sky, a star, the moon, or a bird in flight. Awe is still there, waiting for you.

I’m Patrick Ball. Stay curious, ask questions. See you in the next episode.