This story appears in the June 2020 issue as "Awe-Struck." Subscribe to Discover magazine for more stories like this.
The first time I ventured to Western Canada’s Selkirk Mountains, I was a tourist. My family and I arrived in a small mountain town via ferry, snapping photos as we passed by stunning vistas of lake, mountain and sky. In the heart of this town, hand-painted signs beckon passersby to try the valley’s fresh vegetables and locally crafted chocolates. In summer, swimmers flock to the lake; in winter, farther afield, skiers venture to the craggy peaks that form the town’s scenic backdrop.
We were so stirred by the place that visiting didn’t seem like enough — we moved. Now, even after 10 years as a local, I’m still struck every day by the beauty of the place and the good fortune that brought me here.
What’s more, I noticed that the changes to my surroundings were accompanied by some nearly-as-grand changes to how I felt and acted toward others. New research suggests that feelings of awe — like the ones that attracted me to my new home — can have deep psychological effects.
