The Little Moments

Life is made in the little moments

 

How often do we get caught up in the big scheme and rush of life? We stress over deadlines and looming projects. We get tunnel vision looking just at the finish line and shut out the journey along the way. Sometimes we even collapse on the sideline because the goal is just too big and daunting for us. We get so caught up in the end goal that we sometimes forget to stop and smell the roses. We forget to stop and connect with a friend or explore new destinations. I know I fall prey to this often when I get super overwhelmed or stuck in a zone. I forget to stop and look around me, and enjoy fully each moment I’m in. We don’t get those moments back; once they’re gone they are gone! Don’t let those slip through your fingers and then wonder why your life always feels like a treadmill stuck at a constant pace. Get off and take a step back. Breath, pause, smile and take everything around you in!

What are ways we can live in the moment? How can we at first consciously make the moves to enjoy the little things, so then they easily become part of our everyday life. BECAUSE when they do become a part of our everyday life we look at everything around us in a different light. We notice the smiles, the laughter, the colors, the smells, the interactions, etc. We notice the people around us. We aren’t alone in this world and even just one genuine smile could completely change a person’s day for the better. You can make a person feel so special by just checking in and letting them know you thought of them. I have been working on that more recently. Trying to let a person know they crossed my mind and I hope they are having a blessed day. Just little things like that make you happy and full of light then as well. So take those little pauses during the day to soak in your surroundings. Focus on the interactions, not things, because in the end if we create genuine friendships those will last us forever.

How can we make consciously taking time out or our day second nature to us? I find taking the time for self care and learning to rest, not stop helps me. Taking the time to go explore a new coffee shop with a friend, taking a spur of the moment hike in the snow with my family, deciding to take the scenic route home and getting to see the sunset happen right in front of my eyes. These are all moments and actions I consciously decided to do, but in the end enjoyed so much and made lasting memories. They were moments of real life that often get brushed over as being everyday. They are a different type of self-care too. Self-care can be the pampering type to treat yourself, OR it can be treating your soul. Re-centering and finding ways to renew your heart and soul, and connect with those around you. I really believe little moments are all about that connection. Your connection with people, with nature, with God…. All these make those moments special and forever frozen in time for you.

In the moment an interaction can seem so small, but you never know what could come from that connection. The little moments sometimes fly past us and we don’t recognize their worth and grandeur until later down the road. Later down the road we look back and realize how big those little moments actually were. I can actually look back on moments now that when they were happening I loved them, but didn’t realize how important they were to me until later. Moments that I stopped and consciously did something that down the road I’m so grateful I did. They become special memories to me and help shape the person I am now, because I like how those actions made me feel so I want to repeat them! A lot of those special moments for me usually always center around food. Having food or a drink with a friend and just socializing and catching up is a perfect way to create moments and memories. Two of my best friends and I during college would set a day each week to go eat and just hang out. We made the time to enjoy each other’s company and looking back those meals where definitely highlights of my week. Our time to de-stress, share a meal and create really strong bonds that will last forever. Take the time to create and strengthen those friendship bonds because in the long run having a group of like-minded supportive people around is key for survival. There is a Greek word for that!!!! Parea. Parea in Greek is a group of like-minded friends who gather to talk about values, ideas, life, etc. These are your people you create those precious little moments with. Don’t ever take those little moments for granted.

Funny little story for you: I was working the other morning and a company sent my store some samples to try. Among the samples were little notebooks as well. On the notebooks it said, “Big things often have microscopic beginnings.” It was almost like the company knew I was really thinking about this theme. It’s so true though…. So many big things begin with humble small beginnings. Those little moments could become huge monumental events later down the road. So I am just going to repeat and repeat over and over. NEVER take those moments for granted. Always try and live your life to the fullest every minute of every day. Share love and take the time to connect with others. Take the time and you never know maybe something magical might come from you making that time.

 

“Enjoy the little things in life, because one day you will look back, and realize they were the big things.”

 

S’Agapo

Pi