Don't Mind Me, Just Over Here Counting My Blessings (and Possibly My Stress Lines)
Y'all, I am genuinely, overwhelmingly blessed to have so many incredible people in my life who both love me and whom I have the privilege to love. It's an embarrassment of riches, truly. This past summer, in particular, has offered a beautiful abundance of opportunities to connect with these wonderful individuals. What an honor, right?
But why am I even writing about this? Why share these personal reflections? Because our minds, in their endlessly unique and self-preserving ways, are hard-wired to focus on the negative, to scan for potential dangers, to remain on high alert. This perfectly aligns with a media landscape designed to keep us perpetually engaged—waiting for the next story—a landscape that thrives on sensationalism. And let's be honest, for most of us, our daily lives don't always feel particularly "sensational." At least not in a headline-grabbing kind of way. Unless "Woman Successfully Navigates Morning Commute Without Spilling Coffee and Remembers to Start the Laundry" makes the news, in which case, I'm a contender.
And that, my friends, is precisely where we miss the mark. Our lives are sensational! Sometimes, we just need to pause and truly recognize this truth. It's like the stunning floral arrangement my husband gave me for our recent anniversary - it was an undeniable explosion of beauty. It wasn't about pristine elegance, though that's lovely too. Its beauty was in the chaotic harmony of vibrant colors and diverse types of flowers. Some stood beautifully upright, others drooped gracefully, some were in full, glorious bloom, and others had buds just waiting to burst open. It was a beautiful metaphor for our lives. The ups and downs, the things now past their prime, and those still waiting to bloom. And, best of all, the amazing beauty of right now. In this very moment, with all its inherent tensions. In the wonderfully messy, imperfect place where we live. That same place where sometimes we really have to strain to perceive the beauty of the moment.
Ancient Wisdom for Our Modern Pace
Shockingly, I'm not the first person to see the need for a reminder to focus on what's good, right here, right now. St. Paul reminded the Philippians of this profound truth two thousand years ago when he wrote, "Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things" (Philippians 4:8).
This timeless advice reminds us that if we pay attention, we'll discover that love and grace are woven into the smallest details of our lives. Love can be in a colleague remembering how you take your coffee, or your spouse surprising you with your favorite brand of ice cream after a long day. It's a thoughtful email from a client acknowledging your hard work, and the quiet satisfaction of finally organizing that overflowing linen closet. It's the silent understanding from a friend when your to-do list feels endless, or your child's spontaneous hug after a particularly challenging afternoon of errands. Love is in knowing that someone remembered to get the Chick-fil-A sandwich without the pickles for one person, and extra for the other. It's in the quiet satisfaction of completing a challenging project at work, and the simple joy of a shared, delicious dinner at home. Love is in truly knowing and seeing those around us, and being seen in return. And if we don't pay attention, we might just miss it.
My sincere hope and prayer for both you and me is that we don't miss it. That we recognize those moments of grace and that we choose to love in the beautiful, intricate details of our busy lives.