Friday, August 31, 2012

STOP!!!!

 
I want you to stop what you're doing right now, and I want you to take a look outside???

No matter where you are, just simply look outside your window, or step out into the front or back yard. Just look around you and take in every single thing.

The blue sky, or the dark clouds. The birds flying above, the green trees, the grass beneath your feet, the little ant making it's way across the driveway, a dog barking, a beautiful flower swaying in the breeze.

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Just stop and look!

Now ask yourself how many times you do this?

Just how many times do you actually take a moment to see what is around you, to notice nature, to notice God's work in action?

We live in such a fast paced life, always in a hurry, always busy, always needing to be somewhere else than where we are at the moment.  It's a flurry of movement, cars zooming by, people talking hurriedly on cellphones, rushing at the grocery store, rushing home, fixing a quick dinner, sometimes hardly saying a word to their family.

Days turn into nights, back into days and back into nights and before you know it, weeks, months, years have gone by without you ever stopping to appreciate life.

I've made it a habit to stop, to look, to smile, even if for just 5 minutes, and to thank God for what I have in my life and for what is around me.

When you learn to look at things through the eyes of a child, you will be surprised at what you've been missing.

Grass seems more greener.

Sky seems bluer.

Flowers are more gorgeous than what you remember them.

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Ants are not just an annoyance anymore, they are a work of art.

So please, if nothing else today, just STOP!  Look at what you've been missing and make a conscious decision to appreciate life more, to not let days slip by.

I look at everything that surrounds me with new eyes, I try to really see it for what it is, not just glance and move on.

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An intricate design on a picture frame, the gorgeous dark green of the rosemary plant as it dries on my kitchen curtain rod, the beautiful pastels of the flowers on the curtains and how it all looks against the wood of the cabinets.

Or in the evening, when darkness sets in and I turn on the lamp watching the soft orange glow wash over everything....a book looks more decadent, more inviting.  It brings me comfort.

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And I just hope that when you read this post today, that you will choose to enjoy life more.  That you start really seeing things around you.  Snap pictures if you will, capture those moments for eternity, remember to enjoy the NOW, for the future will come way too fast!




9 comments:

Mari said...

Great post! I have to say that since I started carrying my camera with me and taking more pictures, I really do notice the beauty around me more. God has blessed us with such beauty in so many forms!

Anita Philipps said...

Thanks for this. We just got back from a wonderful vacation in a spot with no cell reception. That meant no text messages, no facebook, nothing. And let me tell you it was great.

I came home with a new peace and purpose. To live simply, love God and slow down.

I've been working hard to clean the house this morning when I sat down to take a rest and saw your new post. I love it!

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

Nice post and I've been thinking along the same lines. Living in each moment is what I want to do.

FlowerLady Lorraine

Anonymous said...

You have a beautiful spirit, Sandra, and I love you for it. Thank you for brightening my day with every post. It's as though you are a long distance friend in so many ways. Just hadn't commented for awhile, it's just not my way, but wanted to tell you that I appreciate you for what you do. Thank you for being you.

Lulu said...

love, love this post, so very true Sandra..We need to stop more often to just take a breath and look at all the wonder around us..

have a great weekend..
hugs,

Susanne said...

So true Sandra. We almost feel guilty for stopping the flurry of activity and just being and enjoying. It really hit me on vacation this year, even with something as simple as taking pictures. I was so worried about getting pictures to remember the moment that I was totally missing the moment. It was a wake up call to me.

Unknown said...

Wonderful advice it's so easy to get lost in the dulls of a day. The bonus of your advice for me was the pleasure of watching a bald eagle fly overhead. Thank you

Tammy ~ Country Girl at Home ~ said...

Very wise words! I call myself trying to do it most of the time, but of course, I get too busy time to time. After being sick and basically away from my family a few days, it really made me realize that I need to do this! I have to say that I've been noticing the sky more. :)

Tammy

anu said...

loved it.I will do this..