The 8 Moments of Awe: The Awe of Creation
The Awe of Creation
In a world that often feels heavy and uncertain, the act of creating holds a quiet, transformative power. Creation invites us to imagine something better, to bring beauty and connection into being even when the path feels unclear. It’s not just about making something new; it’s about reshaping the world, little by little, in ways that reflect hope, care, and possibility.
This post explores creation in two realms: the external—the playful creativity of children and the powerful work of communities—and the internal, where healing and spiritual reflection transform us from within. These acts of creation, whether grand or subtle, remind us that even in challenging times, we hold the ability to build, to grow, and to nurture.
External Creation: The World We Build Together
Children are natural creators. Give them a blank page or an empty box, and they’ll fill it with worlds you never imagined. For years, cardboard boxes have been a staple of playtime in our home, their simplicity sparking endless possibilities. During the quiet, uncertain days of the COVID pandemic, those boxes became central to our lives, transforming into buses, trains, and rocket ships. What began as a way to pass time became something much deeper—a way to connect, to imagine, and to find joy in the midst of difficulty.
I’ll never forget the day my older two children built a rocket ship from two enormous boxes. It had just enough space for one to sit behind the other, like pilot and co-pilot, ready to explore the stars. They scavenged the house for “space clothes”—scarves, hats, and oven mitts—and meticulously decorated their ship with crayon-drawn control panels and paper “boosters” taped to the sides. Their excitement wasn’t just about the destination; it was in the creation itself, the shared process of turning something ordinary into something extraordinary.
Later that year, we discovered the book Not a Box, and it became an instant family favorite. Its playful celebration of imagination and creativity mirrored what we had experienced during those long days of play. A colleague had recorded a video of herself reading the book with her daughter (Video Reading of Not a Box), which we watched countless times, and my children still refer back to both the story and the video when they reach for a box. It was a reminder of how universal and timeless this kind of creation really is.
That spirit of creation continues to this day. Just yesterday, my son came home with two small boxes and turned them into a “sticker shop.” On the front, he wrote in large, careful letters: “This is for all people—all people allowed! Jews and non-Jews!” His words stopped me in my tracks. In his innocent way, he was responding to the world he’s beginning to see—a world where exclusion and prejudice exist. His sticker shop wasn’t just a game; it was a vision of the world he hopes for, one where kindness and belonging are for everyone.
Children remind us of what it means to create with intention and hope. Their imaginations offer a glimpse into what is possible when we dare to reimagine the world, starting with the simplest of materials. A cardboard box becomes a rocket ship, a sticker shop, or even a vision for a kinder, more inclusive world. Their boundless creativity invites us to see challenges not as barriers, but as opportunities to build something new.
The creativity we see in children’s play often reflects the same values we aspire to in our communities—resilience, hope, and the ability to rebuild. At almost every youth event we hold, there’s a community-oriented portion where we prepare food for donation, collect items for Israel, or collaborate with local organizations to support families in need. These moments of collective effort are about more than helping others—they teach children that they are part of something bigger, that their actions have the power to create change.
Creating as a community isn’t always easy. It requires patience, compromise, and a willingness to set aside personal differences for the greater good. Yet, when it happens, it’s transformative. It reminds us that even in the hardest moments, we are capable of building something meaningful—something that holds the weight of our care and the light of our hope.
Reflection for the Reader:
How do you see creativity shaping your relationships, your community, or your sense of purpose?
What are the small or large acts of creation happening in your life or community?
Internal Creation: The World We Build Within
Creation isn’t always visible. Some of the most profound acts of creation happen within us, as we heal, grow, and reshape our understanding of ourselves and the world. Healing, at its core, is a deeply creative act. It’s the process of taking what feels broken and transforming it into something whole—not by erasing the scars, but by weaving them into a stronger, more compassionate version of ourselves.
Healing requires the same elements that drive any act of creation: imagination, intention, and effort. It asks us to envision a future that feels different from the pain of the present, to commit to the small, deliberate steps that move us forward, and to trust that the process will lead to something meaningful, even if the outcome is uncertain.
This creative process is often mirrored in parenting. When one of my children comes to me, overwhelmed by frustration or sadness, the first step is helping them regulate their body—whether it’s through a breathing exercise we’ve practiced together** , a comforting touch, or a few moments of stillness. Once they feel more grounded, we can begin to name the emotions together, untangling the feelings and finding a way forward. In those moments, I’m not just helping them heal—I’m creating a space where they feel safe, understood, and capable of growth.
Spirituality, too, offers both an anchor and a compass in the work of internal creation. It steadies us and opens the door to transformation, helping us to look beyond the immediate and connect with something larger—a sense of purpose, the interconnectedness of life, or the meaning woven through even the hardest challenges. Rituals like lighting candles, meditating, or offering a simple prayer create deliberate moments of creation. These acts invite us to pause, reflect, and realign with what truly matters. They allow us to make space for healing—not by erasing pain, but by integrating it into a larger narrative of growth and renewal.
Healing and growth are forms of creation that require courage, patience, and tenderness. They teach us that even in the hardest moments, there is potential for beauty and renewal. Healing, like creation, is about building something meaningful from the fragments—something that reflects not only where we’ve been, but the hope of where we can go.
**Resource: (Breathing Exercises (bottom of page)
Reflections for the Reader
How does creativity shape the ways you nurture yourself, your relationships, or your community?
What are the moments of creation—big or small—that bring meaning to your life?
The Sacred Work of Creation
Creation, whether external or internal, invites us to participate in shaping the world and ourselves. It is an act of imagining and nurturing something that doesn’t yet exist, of bringing light and love into spaces that feel heavy or uncertain.
As I watch my children turn ordinary boxes into extraordinary worlds and see communities rally to rebuild lives, I’m reminded of the profound impact of creation—both seen and unseen. Every act of creation, no matter how small, reflects our capacity to shape the world with intention and care.
In creating, we build not just what is seen, but what is felt—hope, connection, and the courage to keep moving forward. These small, deliberate acts remind us of what’s possible, even when the path ahead feels unclear.
This week, take a moment to reflect on the ways you create. Perhaps it’s through small acts of kindness, moments of self-care, or opportunities to connect with others. In each of these, there is awe waiting to be discovered—and the chance to transform the ordinary into something extraordinary