In Awe: Rediscover Your Childlike Wonder to Unleash Inspiration, Meaning, and Joy

by John O'Leary

The #1 bestselling author of On Fire shows us how to recapture and harness our childlike sense of wonder and curiosity in order to become more engaged, successful, and fulfilled.

We once raised our hand to answer every question, and jumped into new experiences boldly, excitedly, and without fear.

Now, too many of us find ourselves caught in a life of dogged responsibility and mind-numbing repetition; we are disconnected and burned out. The years of test-taking, relentless striving toward someone else's goals, and the daily struggle to earn a living, have caused us to lose the sense of wonder that we once awoke with every day.

In his new book, In Awe, John O'Leary gives us the tools to help us rediscover the child-like qualities of wonder, curiosity, openness and daring that allow us to live life more fully, and regain that sense of expectation, engagement and joy we had as children, in order to re-ignite our lives.

The damage is reversible. Strengthened by the past, and empowered for the future, In Awe shows us how to seek fresh insights, reach for new solutions, and live our best lives.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Inspirational, Psychology, Personal Development, Memoir, Christian

272 pages, Hardcover

Published May 5, 2020

About the author

Once expected to die, today John O'Leary teaches others how to truly live. As an internationally acclaimed speaker, bestselling author, and podcast host, John helps hundreds of thousands of people to live inspired each year, sharing his insights and inspiring message with emotional storytelling and unexpected humor. He is the founder of Rising Above, a lifestyle organization helping people and companies live an inspired life, and the author of the #1 national bestseller, On Fire. John inspires countless more through his weekly Monday Motivation essays, Live Inspired Podcast episodes, and exclusive membership community. He lives with his wife and four children in St. Louis, Missouri.

John's second book IN AWE publishes 5/5/2020.

Reviews

[Aimee Loyet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book twice. I couldn't devour it quick enough the first time. The second time I grabbed a journal + my favorite pen and read through more leisurely + purposefully.

IN AWE is a book that I will continue to reference throughout many seasons of my life as new lessons + perspectives appear in the same stories. This book has an incredible way of speaking directly to the reader in a down-to-earth, supportive + hopeful tone that makes you feel incredibly connected to the author John O'Leary.

During this global pandemic, I recommend IN AWE now more than ever. As we are being bombarded with negatively, depression and loss of hope, John O'Leary provides countless examples of just how important and special our life is.

[Dea · Rating 1 out of 5]

One long, generic motivational speech full of meme-worthy ideas/quotes found on Pinterest but lacking any unique thoughts, tangible steps, or suggested action plans. It's also far too much of a biography, with a greater focus on the author's life story than the reader.

[Nhellstrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first page of In Awe until the last, I felt as though I had been invited to sit down with a good friend to share our questions about life and discuss issues that we all face in life. Whether it was through a story from his own life, or one of the many poignant stories from individuals John O'Leary John O'Leary met, I found myself thinking "me too, me too." I left the "conversation" feeling the same way that I do after talking to a good friend; grateful for the chance to be together and with a better, more positive outlook as a result of it.

Being invited to read a preview copy of In Awe has been a great gift, one that could not have come at a better time as all across the globe, we are all looking at life and asking ourselves questions about what really matters. I am counting the days until the copies I've ordered arrive so that I can re-read it, share it with friends and invite them into a conversation that will leave us with a renewed outlook on life and knowing that "the best is yet to come".

[Susan Gutknecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

5-Star rating!! A must read — John O’Leary’s In Awe will reignite you to be the BEST YOU. The timing is perfect to read this book. This is for everyone that wants to have that spark back in you and your team. Great life skill tips for everyone to lead an In Awe life you desire and deserve. It will make you smile, laugh and inspire you to take action.

John O’Leary

[Joan Naylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the perfect book to read in 2020!
It made me laugh and cry and has inspired me. Just what our world needs.... hope!
This would be a book to buy for EVERYONE, an incredible gift for any birthday, graduation or all those on your Christmas list! Thank you John O’Leary, our world needed this !

[Nancy Willard · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an In Awe Ambassador, I was fortunate to receive an advance copy of John O'Leary's In Awe. Thank you to John O'Leary and Currency, a division of Penguin Random House. The ironic thing is that I read this book just as the Corona Virus was presenting in our country and as we were beginning our "Stay at Home". Instead of ironic, call it serendipitous! Of all the spiritual and thought provoking reflections coming at me from literary connections and social media sources, it has been this book that has provided the much needed assistance with inspiration needed to get through these days. Aiming for childlike awe and wonder has allowed me to find the positives in each day, to reach out to lonely individuals with a note or a call, to look for and appreciate the beauty in our unfolding midwestern spring, to appreciate my own advantages and to empathize and assist those less fortunate. In addition to John O'Leary's retelling of his own remarkable, caring, selfless experiences, a favorite part of the book is the chapter headings. Each one contains a quote of a children's classic. And each quote becomes very personal upon reading the chapter. #In Awe

[Tim Durbin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.

I too have had the privilege of serving as an ambassador for John in providing feedback for In Awe, and I could not be more impressed this uplifting book.

You can expect to cry, laugh and think but ultimately be called to act by virtue of reading the incredibly well-written and organized chapters on the five senses.

John mixes the perfect blend of personal stories, research and examples from his professional life that culminate with some of the most moving content you will find in any book right now, or perhaps of any you have ever read.

This book is a gift and has something for everyone. I lost count in the 50s of the important phrases and sections that resonated with me as I dog-earned corners and highlighted the areas I will want to revisit again and again. You simply cannot find a better use of your time than to read In Awe and rediscover all the amazing things we are all capable of doing.

Congrats, John! This deserves to go to the top of the best-seller list.

[Bill Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is filled with brilliant - yet simple - insights on how to embrace the very best that life has to offer. As relevant as In Awe has been from the first word written, it is an absolute must-read in these times of uncertainty, fear, and guaranteed change.

O’Leary’s experiences create a rare and powerful perspective.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had the pleasure of pre-reading this book as a guest of the author. John O'Leary has penned the perfect messages that people are craving during this pandemic. Learn to recapture wonder, expectancy, immersion and belonging in order to gain the freedom to live your best life in child-like awe. This is a book you will want mulitple copies of to read yourself and gift to others. Would highly recommend for families, book clubs and graduation gifts.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. John has a clear writing style that makes you feel like the two of you are having a conversation. In this book, he uses the way his children approach the world to remind us that the best is yet to come. I HIGHLY recommend this one!

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was inspiring and grounding. It made me want to do more while also remembering that I am enough at the same time. John’s stories are easy to connect with and apply to your own life. I highly recommend this book!

[Stacy Bolser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was blessed to get an advanced copy of John O’Leary’s book IN AWE as an ambassador. I truly believe in Godincidences where at a time I needed to re-set priorities and make sure my ladder is facing the right wall! We all want to be loved. We all want to matter. If you are struggling with not feeling like you belong, not feeling like you matter, not feeling like you are doing enough, not feeling like you are good enough, then I encourage you to pick up this book. Let the words on the pages re-wire your mind and make way to your heart where lasting change can take place. John O’Leary will inspire you, move you, and make you believe anything is possible! Because it is, he is living proof!

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to have seen John speak (and witness his brave piano performance!) in person a few years ago. His outlook on living life full out spoke to me and connected with the part of me that had felt lost for some time. Hearing him speak and reading his books reminded me of what I already believed but had lost connection to - that every day is a gift and that we have the power every single day to decide how we are going to live it. In the face of adversity, however severe or however small, we have the choice to look for the negatives and dwell on them, or look for the positives and thrive because of them. Thank you John, for the opportunity to be an In Awe ambassador, for your words of wisdom and engaging stories that remind us all that the best is yet to come!

[Jennifer Knowles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book pulls you in. An inspiring book calls you to action. In Awe does both these things and along the way I laughed, felt deeply, and it made me think about the choices I have in how I approach my life. It stuns me that somehow John O'Leary knew just what we would need during these unprecedented times. As we each have our own experiences living in separation but wanting to somehow be part of something bigger, In Awe helped remind me to live inspired. Experiencing the five senses he covers is just what I needed and I highly recommend it for anyone wanting to see things in a different light.

[Dan Connors · Rating 4 out of 5]

"My friend, the day is new and the sun is rising.

You choose where you go from here.

You can continue doing things the way you've been doing them. BUt instead, I hope you accept the invitation of awe.

It's time to unleash your inspiration, meaning, and joy.

And see what is possible when you live in Awe. " John O'Leary


John O'Leary is a motivational speaker, writer, and podcast host from my home town of St. Louis, and he is an inspiration. When he was nine years old he survived a horrific accident with a fire that badly burned him and nearly killed him. He spent five months in the hospital and had to endure several surgeries and therapies to help him use his now deformed hands.


O'Leary's first book, On Fire, was a bestseller that told this story in detail and how he recovered from it. In Awe, his second book, references the fire a bit, but expands to show some of the lessons John has learned from the experience. One of the reasons I was eager to read this book was having seen the author in person twice giving motivational speeches that were personal and profound. The other reason was his podcast, John O'Leary Inspires, in which he interviews inspiring people from all walks of life. Anybody around that much inspiration all year has got to have something helpful to say.


In Awe looks at the viewpoint of children and how engaged and entranced they can be about the world as they first discover it. As adults, we lose much of that awe and humility as we become experienced and more cynical, and O'Leary presents five senses that he believes can help restore that feeling of awe.


The sense of wonder, he says, is a passionate curiosity and open-mindedness that children are all born with. Kindergartners test with genius levels of divergent thinking. Given the task of thinking up different uses for a paper clip, their minds go wild and come up with all sorts of options. Adults, only 2% of whom stay at that level, can only come up with a few uses. When adults have a problem to solve, they use low-temperature searches, seeking out what's worked in the past. But when kids and divergent thinkers look for solutions, they do high-temperature searches that involve creative and unique solutions that have never been done before.

In order to feel more alive, we need to curate that sense of wonder and be more open-minded and curious about our world. Be willing to admit you don't know something and go out and ask for input. There are new solutions and new pathways that we haven't considered in our adult brains.


The sense of expectancy, O'Leary presents, is the anticipation and excitement that comes with believing good things are coming. Optimists are more likely to have a fruitful life than are pessimists. The placebo effect demonstrates the very real consequences on the human body for expectations. If you think you'll feel better, often you will, even if the pill is a placebo.

Positive expectancy can shape our world. That doesn't mean ignoring reality. It means working towards better results within the reality we have. Just the act of having a calendar with an important date to look forward to, (like John's son in a poignant story) can make life more worth living. Once you give up hope for the future you're as good as dead. Expectancy keeps us alive, just as it kept John alive through his ordeal. The power of hope can fuel long and difficult journeys.


The sense of immersion means living in the present, being there for the people and events that are going on all around you today. O'Leary calls not being present the thief of joy. Those stuck in the cycle of work, play, repeat day after day forget to appreciate the special times when they happen.

He claims that nearly half of Americans don't use all their vacation time, which I found hard to fathom. Vacations, breaks, sabbaths, and weekends are a chance to recharge, rest, and let go of problems for a while. Immerse yourself in nature or a hobby you love. Only after a decent respite can we be present for the tasks that await us when we get back. Then we can work towards the state of flow, where we know why we're doing things and can immerse ourselves in the task.


The sense of belonging is the vital feeling that we need each other, and we have a space where others accept, appreciate and love us. One of the worst tortures known to mankind is solitary confinement. Humans are a social species and are wired for connection. But according to this book we only spend 41 minutes a day socializing (this has probably gone way down in the age of Covid-19). We spend way more time engaged with screens- computers, phones and televisions than we do with each other.

We all need to embrace the sense that we are not alone in our experiences. There is someone feeling the same way no matter how weird the situation. There are support groups for many, many afflictions. You don't have to be alone. Step out of the shadows and share who you are, like the characters in PT Barnum's circus. You will be accepted once you accept yourself.

John tells the inspiring story of how at age nine he was welcomed back at his elementary school by cheering students and teachers. While his disfigurement from the burns could have been a reason for ostracism and bullying, he was fully accepted by his fellow classmates. Another inspiring story in the book involves a couple with two Down's syndrome children who grew to love their kids and open a restaurant for people with that affliction.


The sense of freedom is the belief that you can take risks and get in the game without fear or regret. Many of us hide on the sidelines waiting for others to make the first move, because failing or looking stupid is considered worse than doing nothing.

The author tells a moving story about how his fear of rich, important people kept him from reaching out to his idol, Jack Buck, who had helped him immeasurably when he was in the hospital. O'Leary tried to go to Buck's funeral and had to turn around because of his fears and had an epiphany about how important it is to face your fears and show up.

Sometimes, especially in the age of Covid, it's important to be cautious and listen to reasonable voices about the dangers ahead. But when the fears are unjustified by the reality, and the only possible bad result is a bit of humiliation or waste of time, we need to cast them aside and go for it.


John O'Leary overcame big odds to recover from his accident. It made him both humbled and motivated. He was lucky to have a loving nuclear family that knew what to say and do when their 9-year old burns down the garage and himself. And he was enormously lucky to have a St. Louis icon, Jack Buck, happen to walk by his hospital room and learn his story, motivating him to engage the entire Cardinals baseball team in his recovery. O'Leary knows how lucky he was and is trying to give back. I look forward to future offerings.

[Magda w RPA · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is basically a very long motivational speech. The author’s harrowing story and some other ones he discusses are heart-warming and inspiring. However, there’s no tangible plan to improve a person’s feeling of awe and childlike qualities, just a lot of repeating that it’s important to do so.
At points I was quite outraged by the author’s lack of relationship with the reality of other people and swift generalisations.
This kind of oversimplified narrative is quite common for motivational speeches. It’s all in the vain of: if you want an amazing life just believe in yourself and god and miracles will happen! (and: if I could then you can too!).
In this book there’s really no understanding of all kinds of obstacles that other people have to face, be it psychological, physical, socioeconomic or other. It’s just a lot of of fluff and big words enough to motivate someone maybe for a day.

[Barbara Whitehead · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world has waited several years to hear more from best-selling author, inspirational speaker and overall “life is awesome” storyteller, John O’Leary! If you thought his first book “On Fire” was inspired, wait until you read his stories from his own family, travels and life experiences, all told in a way to motivate us to view the world with fresh eyes...eyes of a child!
In Awe looks at how we view life as we grow and reminds us that every day can be awesome if we expect it to be, that people are genuinely good if we’re good to them, and that the best is still yet to come.

I was fortunate to get an advanced copy of In Awe and cannot wait to share my 12 pre-orders with family and friends on 5/5.

During a global pandemic or just any time, this book is a necessary tool to approaching the world as we know it and the world as it is ever-changing! Get ready to live “In Awe!”

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

You just know when you’ve read something that will be with you long after you’ve closed the cover - that’s what In Awe is... a game changer. John OLeary once again shares through the power of his words, experiences and life stories the gifts of hope, grace and staying in and believing the moment right in front of you. As a reading specialist and educational literacy consultant, it’s my business to have my nose in a good book - and I can tell you In Awe is simply transformative! This book will soon be on nightstands, best seller and public library waiting lists... I’m excited to sit back and see the impact it will have - we’ve never needed a book like this more than we do now. ❤️

[Susanne Doran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't even begin to put into words how much I loved (and needed) this incredibly moving book! I was honored to recieve an advanced copy and I absolutely absorbed the details and advice doled out by John O'Leary in his follow up book to On Fire. It is a book that you will want to continue to refer to and should to get the most out of the amazing advice and way to look at life in a whole new way. The release couldn't be more timely. If we have ever needed a new way to look at life - it is now!
"Expect amazing. Expect beauty, Expect awesome, Expect joy. It will dramatically influence what you see."

[Cheryl Thompson]

This book invites the the joyful, inquisitive version of yourself to the common sense, sage you have become to find the best version of you now. Time well spent!

[Chris Boutté · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book that gives an awesome perspective on how to tackle life

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid 5 stars. So good that when I finished it — I started it again! A book for every person.

[Sheila Reyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Its a great uplifting book especially during these times.

[Jody Freitas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Needing a fresh perspective, seeking a joyful heart or searching for a new song? John provides great news...you have a choice! YOU get to shape your life! YOU decide who you want to grow into. YOU got the power! John's words provide the courage to live with ferocious optimism through real-life inspirational stories. Be ready to unleash greater connectivity, creativity and leverage your power to live IN AWE! EXPECT to BE AWEstruck by a dear friend, John O'Leary. I promise you will discover inspiration, meaning and joy dear one.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I completed the last page of this book, my first thought was "I need to read this again...just a bit of it everyday!". This is a book to get you fired up for truly living, for changing your perspective towards joy and anticipation. John's stories are simply lovely...in a way that makes you want to be a kid again (e.g., the story about bringing your glove to the game sticks with me). I feel lucky to have received an advance copy of this book as part of John O'Leary's ambassador program and I highly recommend it to anyone who is open to the powerful idea of simply choosing happiness.

[Michelle Barlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fabulous book. It couldn't have come at a more perfect time. During this difficult season with having a pandemic it is good to be reminded that life is still what you make it. Going back to seeing things through the eyes of a child was refreshing. What a great perspective for living life to its fullest. If you need reminding of what it feels like to see things with childlike wonder, than read this book.

[Jamie Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Awe is a book that is hard to put down. Mr. O’Leary captures you from the very first page and draws you in. There is so many great life tips on how to live your life to the fullest every single day. Throughout the book, we are shown how we have lost touch with the simple side of life and how to gain it back with childlike wonder.

I can not say enough good things about this book. It is absolutely amazing and I will definitely be rereading it over and over.

[Kevin Goedker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Another amazing book by John O'Leary! An inspiring way to reflect on what is important in life.

[Giorgia Consoli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book I felt inspired and lighthearted when I finished. Loads of great messages to jot down and include in our daily life. Highly recommended!!!

[Soumya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot thank the author enough for writing this book & my husband for recommending this. I have read almost 40 books in the last 1 year & this book has raised the bar way higher for any other books I am going to read this year. Highly recommended for each & everyone, in each & every stage of your life!!!! Changes your perspective towards how you approach life. Must Read!