Just as I need the continued reminder about making a difference through love, I also need frequent reminders how daily actions, interactions, decisions, choices, habits, and routines can have an impact on those around us and, in turn, can ripple out far and wide.
So now I watch for them, my little unexpected moments of joy where my face hurts from so much smiling and the mess-free glitter flies around me. I no longer take them for granted. The ordinary moment that is filled with joyful power no longer gets left as ordinary, but I capture it in my mind for rainy day remembering.
Lately, I have found myself frequently getting bogged down in a frustrating pattern of struggling to tackle my overwhelmingly lengthy to-do list before succumbing to mindlessly scrolling perpetually negative news updates. The mundanity was causing me to feel despondent. I realized I needed to switch gears and instead refocus on the candid moments of inspiration that continue to happen all around me.
I allowed myself to get caught up in the simple act of making plans, basking in the highly anticipated full schedule of activities and gatherings, that I almost forgot to stop making plans and start enjoying them.
Hope has brought renewed opportunities to reflect on and process the past season; to leave the lonely routines of COVID uncertainty and create new rhythms of joy and hope.
As a stay-at-home parent, some of the biggest stresses for me throughout this pandemic have been adjusting to a wide-open schedule, concurrently fulfilling multiple roles, and dealing with a perpetual avalanche of thoughts and emotions.
Thankfulness that is punctured by sadness can still have a sense of peace and gratitude woven throughout.
I can’t enjoy every single minute of the day. I can, however, enjoy moments, even small ones, throughout the day.
Appreciation, joy, kindness, laughter, praise - I hope to continue to learn important lessons from these candid moments of inspiration.
Some days I wish I could hit a “do-over” button and start the day again.
the unexpected ever afters 