It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.
~ Laura Ingalls Wilder
A dear friend of mine and her husband are going through a very difficult health scare. She is one of the most positive and inspiring souls I know, especially as she navigates through this new territory. I am so blessed to call her a friend, and I am holding space in my heart for her husband and her whole family during this overwhelming time. She told me the other day that she makes it a point to stop and notice the things that make her go 'awe'. A pretty sky, a flourishing tree, a serene sunset. During these trying days, she finds solace in looking at the world more carefully and not taking so much for granted. She points out how little children are such a joy to be around because they are in a constant state of awe!
It is so enduring to behold the little ones as they are first discovering pure delight in their world. The sights, sounds and feelings around them. Their toes, a leaf on the ground, a bug. Someone's eyeglasses or earrings as they are holding them. And don't forget the box that they are more interested in than the gift! Next time you are with a young child, watch what they do. Everything interests them and captures their focus. Even if they have seen the same magic trick a dozen times, the thirteenth time is like the first. There are so many moments of awe for children. I think we as adults need to follow their lead. These moments can pass us by in a blink. That is why we must always be on the lookout for them. This goes back to my never-ending theme of noticing. When we notice the awe in our life, I think it soothes us. It can calm down the hustle and bustle and busyness of our lives that often gets in the way of our happiness and peacefulness. It changes the priority of what is most meaningful in our lives. When was the last time you noticed something that offered you a breathtaking sense of beauty, inspiration, admiration, amazement, or was just plain fun or heartwarming? These moments can be anything at all. A booming thunderstorm and lightning show. Hearing a favorite song that you haven't heard in a while. Watching a couple walk hand in hand down the street. A Dad building a sandcastle with his daughter on the beach. A soaring kite. The exquisite taste of a new dish. A beautiful butterfly. Your dog resting his head on your lap while he sleeps. A new tune that started your toes tapping. An uplifting quote you read on Instagram or Facebook. An elderly couple sitting on a bench. The game-ending winning shot. The delicious scent of warm cookies fresh out of the oven. An amazing sunrise. Your partner's smile. A bright yellow hibiscus bloom. When we observe these moments of awe, we can be more grateful for all that surrounds us, particularly in times of immense personal misfortune like my friend. It only takes a second to stop and let a moment fill your heart. Notice how it makes you feel. Notice how these little moments of awe can diminish the surrounding noise in your head. Notice the magic of what you see, smell, taste, sense or hear. The universe does amazing things to present her beauty to us, and she is always changing it up. Witness the beauty in all the small things around you. Appreciate the efforts of the universe to create all the gifts that you might be taking for granted every day. What about all those tiny molecules that create a beautiful flower? The graceful hummingbird? A jagged seashell? The more you recognize all the small, intricate ways the universe creates this patchwork quilt of our lives, the more your heart will fill with wonder and awe. When we can truly experience these moments as the wonder of living, it must make us more grateful. We can see the blessings of our lives more clearly. We just might even make a bit more sense of our being on this beautiful planet and discover more of our own truth in the process. The genuinely wonderful moments in our lives are not necessarily the most momentous. They are not measured by some quantifier, but rather by our reaction to them. How they change our mood, our day, and our lives. Reflect or journal about these moments as small joys or big revelations. You might discover there is more magic in your life than you first imagined. Say a little prayer of thanks to the universe for each moment of awe that you encounter. Make a conscious effort to experience more gratitude with the universe's generosity. Set an intention to notice more 'awe'. As you practice with this, you will find magic and inspiration everywhere! Where can you find more awe in your own life? How can you use these moments to inspire you? How do they make you feel?
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This evening, after reading your blog, I realized my year-old cat, Elvis, had not returned from his nightly sunset prowl. It had started sprinkling. I spotted his distressed eyes and coaxed him inside. His sense of relief and ‘aw’ when he found the dry safety inside the house was a beautiful conformation of your message. Small wonders lead to life-changing lessons.