Just A Reminder to Appreciate Today

Life goes by fast. It's busy, yes, but in the time that passes, we build so much that makes our lives so full without us even realizing it. It's difficult, or more honestly, guilt-inducing to take a moment, be in it, and appreciate just how special what we have, is. 

When we were given these lives as gifts, we worked with the freedom presented to us to do what we wanted with them. Don't you find it funny though, or more ironic, that what we've crafted of our day to day lives, allows us little to no freedom? 

I understand that responsibility, supporting our families, and working hard to achieve our dreams, keep us on the clock 24/7. Today though, in working with these schedules, I ask of you one thing: be in every passing moment today and let it sink in - and in doing this, pay attention to how you feel. 

I understand, also with living these non-stop lives, it's difficult to entirely feel emotion, or sometimes even feel at all. So often, it feels like we are always just going through the motions without really living. Today, maybe tomorrow, or any day you think you can muster up the courage to take your time, as you move through your daily routine - soak every bit in, and appreciate what you have - not what you don't. Get out of your head and into your body and notice how you feel. 
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Photo by Jared Trevino

In the morning, when you wake up, feel the warmth of your blankets swaddling you so sweetly and thank the universe and God that you woke up today. 

Take a deep breath in and out. Keep breathing like this all day. Check-in with your body and appreciate that you are healthy, and you can feel your limbs stretch. Wiggle your toes. Hug yourself. Smell the morning air. Give your heart a chance to speak out and take in the memories that scent may bring you to. Sit at this moment and bask a little while in the life you've had and how special it is that you've been given today to keep it going. 

When you make your morning coffee, feel the air and the warmth from the sun shining through the window on your skin. Take in that sweet smell and how good that feeling of sunshine is. Appreciate that you can have a roof over your head, clothes on your back, and something hot to drink. Stay in that moment a while. Know it's nothing to feel guilty about, but to be grateful for. Life, in general, is something to be thankful for. 

Remember this feeling and carry it around in your heart for the rest of the day.

With that warm and toasty cup in your hands, sit and be still on the floor, your favorite chair, or lie down on your couch. Take a sip of your coffee or tea and let that warmth and the taste flow through your body.

Close your eyes, absorb the energy around you, and take time to realize and appreciate those around you who love you. Whether they be your kids, your parents, your siblings, your roommates, family, friends, dog, cat, or yourself - whom or whatever they may be - know you have love in your life and take in how much that means to you. If that love is there in the room with you, tell them how you feel, and hug them. Appreciate their embrace.

If they aren't in the room with you, let them know you love them through a phone call, a text, a video telling them how you feel. I promise it will make your day that much more full. 

Next, maybe you'll take a walk around the block before heading to work. Appreciate the nature around you, how beautiful it is, and how important it is to protect and respect what this Earth has given to us. Maybe you're allowing yourself the opportunity to take care of your soul and your body by doing yoga. Listen to yourself and your intuition - what do you need? Breath deeply, and try your best to be in the moment and connect with yourself. 

Admire the soul you have, and pay attention to its purpose. Are you fulfilling that purpose today? Think of your passions. When was the last time you painted, sang, or sat down at the piano? Pour your love into those things at the moment, and use your life today to give your heart and soul reign. 

Love the air you breathe, and appreciate the little and marvelous things in everyone you run into throughout the day. Please take note of someone's smile, the way another held the door open for you, the work ethic a coworker may have towards what they do, or how excellent a stranger may be towards their significant other. Focus on the positives in people today.  Realize humanity, and all we are given in this life and on Earth are the most precious gifts one could ever receive. 

The way everything in our lives intertwine, make us exactly who we are, and the more time we give to appreciate these things for what they are, maybe complaining and negativity wouldn't be so constant. 

Simplifying our lives and rooting ourselves in the moment will bring the beauty we're always searching for into the front of our minds, hearts, and eyes every day.