Just a Pretty Cloud?

With a million things in my hands and a thousand thoughts racing through my head, I was trying to make it on time to band practice, hyperaware of all the laps I would have to run if I was late. I barely looked up at the sky, same dull and almost-raining vibes settling in.

But then, a sliver of the morning sunlight slipped through the clouds, lighting the sky up in a sparkling, fiery red. I froze mid step, staring at the sky with a quiet smile. In the midst of my bubble of stress, everything seemed to slow down for just a second, appreciating the glow of the sky. I wasn’t worrying, but simply noticing.

When something ordinary turns luminous, that’s when you feel Adhbuta.

According to experiments done by researchers Rudd, Vohs, and Aaker, they found that participants experienced awe felt less impatient and like they had more time available. Mediation analyses showed us that the changes in time management and satisfaction were because of the subjective perception and experience of awe. Or in other words, it pulls us back to the present, focusing only on where we are in that moment, therefore changing our perception of time and making life seem just a little bit sweeter than normal.

I used to think that awe was truly only found in something you had to chase, like a perfect performance or a once-in-a-lifetime moment. But the reality is that Adhbuta doesn’t require grand gestures, but awareness. It’s about how inspiration weaves into everyday life.

Sometimes, we just have to do as little as look up, and let ourselves be immersed in whatever deserves it.

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Source -

Rudd, M., Vohs, K. D., & Aaker, J. (2012). Awe Expands People’s Perception of Time, Alters Decision Making, and Enhances Well-Being. Psychological Science, 23(10), 1130-1136. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797612438731 (Original work published 2012)