Part of something bigger

Every day things happen in our lives that we dismiss as luck, chance or simply take for granted. Of course, from time to time, situations come up that can throw us off balance or make us feel vulnerable or afraid, but typically such occasions are rare. The majority of the time we’re so preoccupied with our daily routines -- work, errands, chores, etc… -- that we fail to notice the little things that make our lives richer.

The truth is that, no matter what’s going on in our lives, there are no ordinary moments, no meaningless minutes or seconds. And more importantly, we’ll never get back those special moments that often pass without recognition. That’s why I think it’s important to acknowledge and appreciate what I consider our little daily gifts.

For example, this morning I awoke to hear birdsong outside my window and then got up and made myself a nice hot cup of tea and some warm buttery toast. Later in the day, I came upon my dog enjoying a golden patch of sunlight that was shining on floor. I also took time out to play with my dog. I’m extremely grateful for the pleasure brought by my cup of tea, the singing birds and my spirited dog. What about you? What’s brought joy to your day?

At first glance, these brief, isolated moments may not seem particularly eventful. But when I consider what my life would be without them, I appreciate them all the more. Undoubtedly, they bring us joy and inspiration even if we aren’t always conscious of them. In fact, in my opinion, they can make the difference between a good and a not so good day.

Of course, the tricky part is recognising them because they are often fleeting. The momentary elated feeling or the smile brought to our face can leave as quickly as it came. I’ve been making an effort to pay more attention to these highlights in my day, and I’m happy to report that I feel more content when I’m able to do that.

Little miracles happen every day to us and around us. Flowers bloom, babies are born, sunshine warms our skin… all evidence that we’re part of something much larger than us.