Notice Things More
An Often Overlooked Path to Joy
Introduction
I was moved by a line from a movie* I watched recently. A woman who tragically lost her husband and only child left everything and moved to a remote cabin in the mountain wilderness. After a difficult winter and nearly dying she found a way to move forward again. She had only one goal, to notice things more. In this issue of The Adventure of Reflection, I invite you to explore this often overlooked path to greater joy.
* “Land”
A Minute of Motivation
The Little Things
Remember to notice the little things in life.
Most of the wonder and majesty of this existence lies not in big events, but in small – some would say trivial – ones.
These little things might be:
· The feel of the breeze against your face and in your hair
· A squirrel running almost weightlessly across a network of limbs
· A beautiful sunset or sunrise
· A “chance” meeting of a friend in the midst of hectic day
· The smile or laughter of a child
· Leaves dancing across the street, chased by an unseen wind
· A chorus of birds singing
· A card or phone call from a friend or family member
· And many more….
Yes, the little things do make a big difference.
Try making your own personal list of “little things.”
You may be surprised at how big they really are.
Today, remember to enjoy the significance of the seemingly insignificant.
Note. Originally published in 1992.
Enjoy Life More
Catch Glimpses of Eden
At what speed should life be lived? Whatever the “right” answer, I am fairly certain that I sometimes am moving too fast. I know this because moving too fast in life is a similar experience to driving along and missing something that was briefly visible. Oh, I missed it!
Or, perhaps speed isn’t the problem but distraction. In our device-saturated world we are almost perpetually distracted. Life is happening right beside me and I miss it because I am looking into a 2x5 screen.
But, if I stop, look up and around, pausing to listen and absorb what is around me, a wondrous reality shift occurs. In a moment of complete awareness, I will catch glimpses of Eden. Bits of perfection will leak through into the imperfect world. The gentle hum of my being alive is surrounded by sounds and sights of amazement. How green the trees become! How refreshing each breath is! How rich are the treasures of my mind and heart!
Don’t rush by or remain so distracted that you miss it. Wonder is now. Eden is still here. Enjoy it.
Faith Corner
Jesus said: “Store up treasures in heaven.” Matthew 6:20
Where is your treasure? Jesus, during His famous Sermon on the Mount, challenged his listeners to not store up treasure that could be destroyed, but to store up treasures in heaven instead. Homes and possessions can be wiped out by flood, fire, or tornado. Investments can crash. Health can be destroyed by sudden illness or accident. Anything this side of eternity is temporary. We can enjoy it today and have it be gone tomorrow.
So, what treasure can be stored on the other side of eternity? There are many interpretations of Jesus’ directive, but here is what it means to me.
Because my eternity is secure in my relationship with Jesus, I can store other treasures in eternity within His keeping. The ones I am focused on are relationships and memories, sometimes intertwined as memories of connections with people I love.
The memories of holding my newborn children during their first days with me are stored safely in eternity, where I plan to revisit them again and again. My one-day-to-be husband kissing my hand still tingles my heart. The wonder of watching my son push a plastic lawnmower across the yard is securely stored. The sound of my daughter singing as we walked through a parking lot resonates in infinity. Securely saved is the sight of my soccer daughter kicking the championship-winning goal. Also stored is a walk in the rainy woods with a friend.
What treasures have you stored in the vaults of heaven?
Lord, help me be so fully aware of You and Your presence in my life and relationships that I store up treasures from today in a place where nothing can destroy them, safely with You. Thank you for providing a permanent place for my most-precious treasures to be secure. Amen.
Poetry Pause
Preston
Get lost in the simple wonder
Of a child’s world.
Enjoy another book,
Or the same one again and again.
Laugh at something unexpected.
Dunk your waffle in your yogurt.
Find beauty in seeing muddy pigs.
Spit at grass to make a rainbow.
Walk silly for no reason at all.
See how far you can throw a stick.
Smile and wave at everyone.
Take a nap while holding hands.
Lose yourself and find –
A Calm Mind
And a Pure Heart –
Simple Joy.
By Cindy MacGregor, July 30, 2019
Note. I wrote this poem after a visit with my 2 ½ year old grandson. May it encourage you to see your world through a child.
Old Mom to Young Mom
Experience a Child’s Perception
There was a morning, many years ago, when my babysitter wasn’t able to watch my daughter. I was scheduled to teach a class on human development; my preschool daughter would just have to come to class with me, perhaps as an object lesson. It would prove to be an interesting morning because she only had two speeds: slow and full stop.
As I drug her by the hand on my walk across campus, she in her usual slow speed, suddenly shifted into an abrupt stop.
“Mommy, birdies singing!”
She made this announcement as she gazed into a small tree to absorb the sound of the birds, ones I hadn’t even heard. To be honest, I wasn’t even aware that we had walked past a tree.
I stopped with her and looked where her eyes were transfixed. It brought tears to my eyes then and it still does today. We listened to the birds together and the course of my day was re-routed. An inconvenient cancellation by the babysitter became a beautiful connection to the magnificence of a symphony of birds, enjoyed through the experience of my daughter.
In my heart and spirit I can still hear them. So much joy! I found a piece of infinity in that moment of wonder.
My advice to you, old mom to young mom, is to notice the world through the perception of your child. Childhood is temporary but the wonder it holds contains glimpses of eternity.
Dear Dr. Mac
I am going to offer some advice in this section but I am also going to respond to requests for advice if I receive questions from any of you. You can send an email to: drcjmacgregor@outlook.com and I will respond either via email or in this section of a future newsletter, or both.