Keeping it Simple

The other day my daughter and I were at the grocery store and she wanted me to buy her this shiny red ball.  I figured if a $1.00 ball could make her day – why not?!  There is something about a shiny red ball that brings back memories of childhood. As we were walking back to our car, I captured her playing with it and she had the biggest smile on her face.  It made me think about how children have such a gift of staying and being in the moment.  Here she was playing with this red ball like it was the best present she has ever received with no thoughts about her long day at school or the homework she had to tackle later on (this sometimes becomes a battle to get her to focus).

It was a good reminder to stay in the moment – with no thoughts about our past or our future.  Just BE in the moment and enjoy it.  The ability to stay in the moment is something I have to remind myself to do daily.  It can be overwhelming with all the responsibilities we have as parents, wives, friends, daughter, etc., but if we take each day as it comes and just be – what a great way to navigate into the world.  Our kids want us to be present with them and see the magical things they encounter and seek out each day.  You know, the rollie pollie who is walking on the sidewalk on our way to school who just needs to be placed back into the grass!  Or the butterfly who flutters by our face to say hello.  What a happier person we would be if we aim to put energies into these things as opposed to worrying about things that are mostly out of our control.  I love the quote that says  “Worrying, like a rocking chair, offers us something to do, but gets us nowhere.”

Here’s to enjoying the simple things in life that make it more beautiful once your eyes are open to what’s really important!