you are alive. you were given another day, an unpromised one at that. have you given thanks for that yet?
take a moment. all you need is one. stop what you are doing. look around. what catches your eye? what is unusually beautiful?
are you living day to day seeing the same thing? your eyes pass and glaze over. when it was new did you appreciate it? as it has weathered is there any difference?
moving through life with the “big picture” in mind is normal. i’ve been guilty of it. steps to get there get pushed aside. short cuts skip you ahead. especially living in America, everyone is go go go. time tables and packed schedules and “i’ll see if i have time to…”.
it’s easy to forget that your next goal, your big picture in mind, is actually composed of smaller practices, steps, blessings, and beauties.
if you haven’t taken the time to appreciate all of the little things that make it up, how can you have a true and raw appreciation for your big picture?
about a month ago i asked the Lord to teach me to value each moment of my life in a different way because it’s the only one that will ever happen. after i said my prayer i sat waiting for some holy realization to hit me. didn’t happen. should’ve known better, God doesn’t usually work that way.
then a few days ago i was left shaken realizing it was the only 12/12/2017 that will ever happen in the world. it shocked me. like i was tearing up ranting to my team about how we need to do something memorable today.
a day later as i listened to music i began to think about the artists (mumford&sons at the time) and their backgrounds. the concept of their stories put into such a unique art form. stories i’ll never fully know, but i get to listen in on their feelings for about 3 minutes. again: shook.
as i put pieces together i realized the Lord was answering my prayer. he wasn’t changing what i was doing in any way; he was giving me a deeper appreciation for the small things. some of the most basic things in life, time and music, rattled my world. and you know what, i really do value them so much more!
breaking down my days, i fill pages of thanksgivings. just a list each day, asking “what did i think was exceptionally beautiful today?” i get specific, sometimes even a little weird. but that’s okay, because it’s the little things in life.
small things that satisfies me on 12.14.17
– industrial items with bulky metal and simple lines
– hands around warm mugs
– fingers full of rings
– early morning sun and the shadows it makes
– yellow painted walls
– layered clothes
– neon pink lights in buses
– honestly aged furnitue
– helpful workers & generous strangers
– homemade coffee
– boundless energy in a tapping foot
– capturing colors on camera AS THEY TRULY ARE
i want to challenge all of you!!: find a journal/notebook page/napkin/sticky note and fill it with 10 basic things that affected your life today that you are thankful for. there is nothing too odd or small that it doesn’t deserve thanks and praise!!
