Are we spending our lives longing for more? When the reality is that we’ve already found what we’re looking for?
I think I can confidently say that we all spend time looking forward to something, maybe a holiday or a big event, but let’s not lose the pleasure of now by counting the days until these arrive. Let’s just be and celebrate the day to day small things that surround us all the time.
Take a look back.
Look back at your life and consider your most memorable happy moments. Maybe you’re taken back to your wedding, the birth of your children, or your school graduation. These are wonderful defining moments and bring lasting deep joy.
And then there are the little things that have made you smile. Perhaps it’s when the first daffodils start peeking through, receiving an unexpected compliment, or being snuggled up indoors listening to the rain tapping on the window.
Whatever it is, I want you to reach for it and embrace it.
Alek Wek, British-Sudanese supermodel and designer, renowned for breaking the stereotypical perceptions of modelling, says:
“The most beautiful things are not associated with money”
Of course, it’s delightful and exciting to get a shiny new car, or a beautiful piece of jewellery, but it doesn’t have to be such a concrete thing that makes us feel magical and alive.
The last year has taught us all an awful lot about simple things that we take for granted. Seeing family and friends; popping out to get a newspaper; or maybe hugging someone dear. Who would have thought that such “ordinary” things could be taken away in a heartbeat?
I’d like you to consider this. If you had been told to hug a loved one tight, as you might not be able to do so for another year, would you have cherished that moment so much more?
Memories and moments
Today, I urge you to remember how it felt to not have those simple things we take for granted and embrace them as you would the most exciting new adventure.
Try thinking about each day and consider if you really take time to cherish any of these small acts. Here’s some examples:
- Breathing in the smell of your freshly bathed baby
- Hearing one of your favourite songs on the radio
- Witnessing the beautiful, coloured leaves of Autumn
- Enjoying a good book
- Noticing the beauty in someone you see
- Taking your grandchild for an ice cream
- Kissing your love
- Living as a human being rather than a human doing
If you don’t celebrate them, they can pass you by
All these simple pleasures can so easily pass us by without a second thought. We can often be so intent with looking forward to tomorrow, or next week, that we forget to celebrate the now.
Whatever you do today, savour every moment of pleasure, joy and connection!