Stop and Smell the Roses!

This should apply to life at all times, but this particular time that we are in, it is important to “Stop and Smell the Roses”, as my Dad would say about enjoy the simplicity and beauty in moments of your day.    I was sharing with my coach that I miss my schedule, going to Yoga, hitting Starbucks and feeling more free to just be out and about—I think we all miss that sense of freedom and our Fall routine.  I work from home and love doing so, but if I don’t get out, I can go a little stir crazy (I think we all know this feeling from Pandemic).    

So daily, I am either discovering something new (and at least a few times a week I will drive somewhere and take in the beauty) or appreciating something that is there, that I always see, but have not paid attention to.   I am going so far as to take a picture of it, to capture the moment, and to appreciate the beauty that surrounds me, and truly being in the moment.  I am sharing this here on the blog, because perhaps it will inspire you to go on a treasure hunt each day (a photo journal), in your yard, in your neighborhood, in your community or perhaps even a field trip, and discover the simple things along your path. 

 I am thinking of this as 2020 vision, because there has never been a time where we really need to appreciate the small things, to live in the moment and operate with gratitude, and choose joy in the simple moments in the day.  To look at life through these lenses is a gift, it makes life so much more enjoyable, and it truly allows us to explore, to appreciate, to be present, to observe and to practice gratitude.   A work in progress for sure, and accepting this as a practice helps, where progress is preferred over perfection.  

My Dad had this incredible gift of living this way.  He looked at life through different lenses because life was not a guarantee and because of his health, he never took it for granted.  Likewise, he truly valued the important things, and marched to the beat of his own drum.  Now, don’t get me wrong, he had his moments, man did he have his moments, but he balanced those and regrouped from those with a vibrant spirit and an appreciation of the simple joys in life.  He would tell us all the time “stop and smell the roses”, I am sure I would eye roll at that, but as he left this earth, his words, lessons and wisdom stayed with me, and this one saying speaks an abundance of wisdom and truth to living a peaceful, joyful, fulfilling life.   And no matter what, just don’t quit!  

So today, on my beach walk, I was giving thought to this, I was thinking about my Dad, this saying and the appreciation of simple joys along the way.   Of course, I had to stop and look at the beach roses, and be reminded how important it is to just be present, to just take things in, to be aware, be grateful, and to see the beauty that exists everywhere.   If you look for the bad, the ugly the problem, you will find it, in fact, it is everywhere.  However, if you look for the good, seek the beauty, be in the moment with gratitude and appreciation, you will see how blessed you are and how beautiful life can be, even in challenging times.  

XO