A wise friend gave me some wonderful advice before my wedding. She said that the day will fly by before my eyes so throughout the day take time to pause and to soak in the moment.
She was beyond correct. After months of planning out details of the day, the day itself was a blur of happiness. Did everything go as planned or hoped? Not at all (in fact our wedding cake almost fell over…), but it was the perfect day and I did follow her suggestions and pause regularly.
But that was just one of many of life’s days. There isn’t a day that goes by that doesn’t have the same special quality. In fact, I’d say that it’s the mundane, routine days that I’ll look back on with the most fondness.
This thought occurred to me this morning as hubs and I were going through part of our normal morning routine: sitting in the den waking up with our black coffee. There is nothing memorable or noteworthy about this time each morning; in fact that is what makes it special. Almost every day, this time comes and goes and I’m blissful unaware of it. But because I’m unaware, I let it pass with by without an ounce of thankfulness for it. Sure, most days I’m thankful for the warming caffeine boost, but rarely am I aware or thankful of that moment.
My new goal is to learn to pause. To breathe in the mundane. To recognize the specialness of the moment.
Because the reality of life is it is an assorted collection of these prosaic routines which too often go unrecognized and thus slip by. Sadly, that means I can allow most of my days, weeks to evaporate as well.
Not today.
Today I will pause when I wait in line at the grocery store. When I make up the bed. When I put away dishes. When I clean out the chicken coop. When I brush my teeth. I will pause, soak in the memory, and be thankful.
I hope you have a chance to pause today as well. Would love to hear about it!
You must be logged in to post a comment.