NOTE FROM ELIZABETH: It’s so easy to rush through our days without even noticing or appreciating the small moments and points of beauty all around us. It’s often the most simple things, as my guest Annette Petrick shares in this reflection. For me, today, it was the exquisite little hummingbird on my feeder and the hug my husband gave me for no reason. What is it for you? Look around and notice something for which you can be grateful and feel the joy that brings.
Use the audio player below to listen to this 90-second show.
Never take the small things for granted. Notice them, admire them, enjoy them. That’s a message transmitted frequently to my soul by both my mom and my grandmother. They graced the dining room table with fresh flowers from the garden. They gave frequent compliments on hair styles, frocks, beautiful smiles, kind gestures. They marveled at sunsets and swooned over rainbows. So it must be in my DNA. I take such joy from the little things, the ordinary things.
In this sophisticated world, it’s easy not to notice the minor miracles that surround us. But they have been put here for our enjoyment. Take advantage of them and give thanks. They can keep you smiling and brighten your days.
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Thanks much.
Annette Petrick for Consider This
Annette Petrick is the creative genius and inspired storyteller behind the Consider This Radio Show, featuring dozens of colorful 90-second episodes serving up “timely perspectives on life, love, friends, family, giving back, and giving thanks.” You’ll laugh, cry, rant, cheer, or remember. Be sure to get on her email list HERE to receive a new episode every Sunday morning.
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There is SO MUCH JOY around us all the time, Karen. So glad you are one of the folks who are taking advantage. Let’s continue to spread the word, as you do in your posts. And thanks to our moms for introducing us to these tiny things that bring so much pleasure.
Mothers often do play such an important role is modeling this gratitude for their children, Annette. And those of us fortunate enough to have had that kind of mother are truly blessed! I certainly do have that kind of mother.
I think I get the same from my mom. She was always commenting on flowers, clouds, trees, even bugs. I wish all of us would just take a moment – just 15 seconds – to stop and smell the flowers. Be grateful for what God gave us.
Karen, you’ve hit on such an important aspect of this: the tiny slivers of time required to be more observant and more grateful. The amount of joy resulting from that is far out of proportion to the time commitment on our part. But it’s a habit we must train ourselves to do. Thank you for this important reflection!