Embracing the Small Things

"Not everything that counts can be counted,

and not everything that can be counted counts.

Albert Einstein

(Sign hanging in Einstein's office at Princeton) 

On any given day, in various cities, no matter what time of day, we will find  people talking on their phones.  Everyone is hurrying down the street, but captivated in their own little world.  They are so busy, in fact, they miss eye contacts, moments of synchronicity and simple smiles.

We can account for our mortgage, car payment, or  educational debt, but is it possible for us to just as easily account for things appearing and disappearing in our mind, body, and spirit.  If we live in the city, how often do we look up between the tall buildings to see the sky?  Can we even see the setting sun?  Is it necessary to go to a park in order to find a tree for shade?  When we think of listening do we only hear cars, trucks, and cabs honking horns?

I could ask the same of those living in smaller communities.  They, too, may be in such a hurry they never look up or even see the tree shading their home.  Who takes time to smell the flowers?

The art of listening or the practice of being present in the moment allows a person to embrace the small joyful things of life.  The tenderness of a young mother with her child, the kind gesture with an adult assisting and elder, and a leaf spinning from a branch are all pictures of life we do not give credit for contributing to the joy of our day.  The sound of a water sprinkler, an ocean wave, or a bird flapping its wings during flight, are easily forgotten we take record of our day.

If we are not paying attention to moments spread across our day, we miss the magic, the synchronicity, and the wonderment just waiting to catch our attention.  There are  many mysteries in every one's sight, but as our society calls for us to move at a very fast pace,   we miss the opportunities for increasing our personal beliefs. 

For many of us we travel a lonely world, but it is based on a false or inaccurate perception.  We may feel it is easier to collapse in on one's self, but the damage occurring is far greater than the risk of reaching out to our community.  We can choose to slow down and appreciate the world around us.  Allow little incidents with strangers to bring us joy or amusement.  We are not living singularly on this earth unless by choice.  If we desire a full life, then we must set our selves to that task.