Curley: Always being awe-struck defeats the purpose

People who feel the “awe” emotion may be much healthier than those who don’t, according to a new study recently published in the journal Emotion.

Of the 94 college students they studied, researchers found those who reported positive emotions had lower levels of interleukin-6, a molecule associated with inflammation. And they reported experiencing those emotions a few times every week, according to The New York Times.

KIRO Radio’s John Curley thinks that’s far too often.

“Isn’t the fact that awe occurs so infrequently that makes it that much more special?”

Curley said it’s hard for him to be awe-struck. He’s not entirely sure when to feel it.

“I drove eight hours to get to the Grand Canyon and I got a great parking spot. I was 15 feet from the edge, jumped out of the car, said to my first wife, ‘Well there it is.’

“How much longer do we need to look at it?”

They spent less than 10 minutes taking in the Grand Canyon and were admittedly more interested in the soft-serve ice cream shop they saw on the way there.

Maybe Curley felt awe when his first child was born, but certainly not the second.

“I don’t give it out like loose change to strangers.”

He accused Tom of being the complete opposite, like a Forrest Gump type who’s awe-struck by the Chuck E. Cheese ticket dispenser.

“You need to open yourself up to the possibilities of life instead of closing yourself off to new experiences,” Tom nearly shouted – obviously in awe of the argument.

“Folks, if you’re with me and I know you are, let’s use our awe sparingly. Then it means much more.”

What do you think?

Here are some of Tom and Curley’s favorite responses:

Louise in Marysville:
YOU ARE SO RIGHT JOHN!!!! Awe passed out like cheap candy is nothing, it is just putz. Tom nervously laughs about everything and looks at the world as audience instead of participant. When participating in ones life you earn and see the awe and it is not everything.

Mike in Seattle:
Tom, If a feeling of awe persists for four hours or more, you should call your doctor immediately.

Rev. Robert Evenson in Seattle:

John, John, John, awe is a state that can be experienced a lot in true spiritual practice…but I suspect even as the greatest awe-tioneer in the world …that there are many opportunities to be awe’d …even if it is with regard to how awesome you are in your skills! I’m awe’d! LOL Blessings to you both as we approach Holy Week where I will be awe’d a lot by the goodness of God and the goodness of many of God’s people.

Dustin:

I am in awe that you are taking this long on this boring subject.

Joseph Shigley in Bellevue:

John Curley, as many of us, treats Awe as a limited commodity; feeling that the more he shows, the less he’ll have left for the “really awe-inspiring things.” In effect, John is an Awe Hoarder – an Awe Miser! On his passing, his kids, when going through his attic, will find stacked boxes of unused awe. They will toss these out to make room for dishes and winter wear, maybe pausing to think of how their lives would be different if their father had a bit more Joie de vivre in him.

Pam in Whidbey Island:

Several years ago we bought a fabulous new iMac computer. I was so excited when we walked out of the Apple Store! I was posing for pictures holding the computer box with the store in the background. My dear dear husband who I love very much…commented that I was taking all the joy out of this event for him! What a buzz kill! I do find “awe” in big and little things everyday! The sun is out! The mountains are out! The baby starting walking!

I realize not everyone is like that. I always thought it was a choice :). I choose it!