Awe: (n) a feeling of reverential respect mixed with fear or wonder.

I was trying to figure out if there are two words that are more diametrically opposed to one another while still possessing the same root as “awesome” and “awful.”

How could they both have the word “awe” in them? I guess it’s because things that are worthy of awe are not always pleasant.

I remember the first time I ever saw the simulation of a nuclear explosion. It certainly generated awe. Matter of fact, it was full of it. Thus, awful.

And then, on occasion, sometimes a beautiful experience will dribble across my path and pause my busy mind with a stilled sense of awe. Sometimes awe–therefore, awesome.

Whatever the conclusion, it is important for each and every one of us to maintain enough childlike quality that we can be impressed. Perhaps one of my greatest pet peeves is when I find myself in the presence of something that requires a sense of awe and someone next to me explains that “it’s nothing special; they’ve seen it a hundred times before.”

This is why I know that well-read people are not necessarily more intelligent–unless they’re affected by what the books say.

Well traveled people are not more open-minded unless they’ve learned to include others.

And experienced individuals don’t carry a sense of greatness unless they can come into the presence of something truly beautiful… and still be in awe.

Thank you for enjoying Words from Dic(tionary) —  J.R. Practix

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