The Power of Awe in Nature

I’ve been fortunate to live in 12 countries and travel to more than 80. From the mossy forests of West Virginia to the open savannas of Africa, one thing remains constant: the power of awe in nature.

Awe is infinite knowledge.
It is formless, timeless love.

Awe isn’t just a feeling—it’s an inner wisdom we all carry. It reconnects us to something bigger than ourselves, something we lose in the routines and pressures of daily life. Awe brings us back to our inner truth.

Awe keeps us present.
It strips away separateness.

As Florence Williams writes in The Nature Fix, moments like seeing the Milky Way or watching a sunset can “unself” us. They shrink our worries and expand our perspective. It’s no coincidence our computer backgrounds are filled with mountains, oceans, and forests. Something in us knows this imagery is fuel for creative living.

Awe keeps us curious.
It opens us to the world.

When we experience awe, we create the conditions for learning, creativity, and imagination. We literally see possibilities that are otherwise invisible in our day-to-day lives. Awe invites new ideas instead of recombining old information we mistake for new.

Awe teaches us reciprocity.
It grounds us in reverence.

Nature reminds us of connection and community—within ourselves and with the life force around us. This is why the conditions we create—in life, in leadership, in relationships, in organizations—matter so much.

Awe quiets us.
It reminds us of source.

We often think our actions have simple, linear impacts. In reality, everything we do ripples outward—shaping teams, environments, and possibilities. We mistake experiencing the world outwardly, losing sight that life happens through us. Awe brings us back to oneness.

Awe breathes life.
It inspires authentic action.

Awe in nature shows us that growth doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens through mutual flourishing—where all action is reciprocal, and there are no problems. It teaches us the equation: better me + better you = better us.

Awe fuels adventure.
It keeps our inner explorer alive.

Awe reminds us to be mindful not just of what we do, but how we do it. Nature models this perfectly. Life in the wild is always learning, always adapting, always approaching the world with curiosity and growth. It’s constantly sharing and processing information, creating order out of seemingly chaos action.

Awe expands our horizons.
It illuminates creativity.

Awe helps us shift from narrow, convergent thinking in constrained environments to broader, divergent thinking—seeing new patterns, new connections, and new possibilities across different systems and landscapes. We see many solutions, many possibilities.

Awe is wonder.
It reveals its secret to you.

So the next time you’re in nature and feel that familiar sense of awe and wonder, remember: You are part of the ecosystem. Stay in your inquiry. Pay attention to the details. You have the ability to create conditions where others—and you—can mutually thrive. You, too, are awe and wonder.