If you spend some time with little children, or share the company of your dog, you are immediately struck with a realization; life is better when you embrace the wonder of the world around you, and make room for some playful moments.
Even with all the ‘bad news’ we hear on the television, there is a potential for ‘sunny skies’ in our own lives; we just have to open our hearts and minds to the possibilities. There will always be things happening outside of our control. There will always be problems.
Truth be told, there are many reasons to celebrate life whatever the circumstances. Scripture reminds us of this truth: “This is the day the Lord has made. Let us be glad and rejoice in it.”(Psalm 118:24.) It does not say to rejoice when all the problems in the world are fixed. It does not say to celebrate when you yourself have a perfect life. On the contrary, we are asked to celebrate the gift of life on a daily basis, come what may.
When I think of my dog playing in the snow, I cannot help but feel happy. She is so excited to dig holes, and come out with her black nose covered in white crystals. She simply enjoys the magic of a snowy day, the element of surprise just waiting to be discovered in the next snow drift.
Dogs and children do not need to be taught mindfulness. They know where the fun is and how to find it. They can make a new friend in a matter of minutes. They also know that fun does not have to cost a lot of money. It just needs the investment of time…time spent appreciating the present joy in your midst.
We can practice this mindfulness gift we once knew instinctively. We can practice this gift of falling in love with our lives, one moment at a time. It is an art form as we age and one worth cultivating. Even when everything is not as ‘perfect’ as we would like, it is still an art we can pursuit.
Perfection is an illusion. The harder you strive for it, the more it alludes you. And, it robs you of joy. It steals your happy moments. Children and dogs just take life as it happens; crumbs spill to the ground and they happily eat what has fallen, no questions asked.
January is the month of new beginnings and resolutions. Why not resolve to be mindful of the little pockets of happiness tucked into our days? Why not remember that being playful is good for our health and well-being? It can’t hurt to dabble in something fun, like painting, or planning a summer garden. It does not have to take up hours of your time; you just need to plan for it in your calendar to make it happen.
Life really is as good as we make it. The child in us remembers how to celebrate the seemingly ordinary; and yet, the ordinary is really extraordinary. We know the fun we had running barefoot in the grass. We remember splashing in puddles, and not worrying if our clothes got a little wet. We knew the magic of wishing on a shooting star, and the excitement of blowing out our birthday candles.
All the wishes still count. The magic is still there. Now is the time to celebrate the wonder all around us. We know it exists in the smiles of both the young and the old, in the dawn of each new day, whether it raining, or clear and sunny.
The choice is ours. We must vow to remember that it is not too early or too late for any of those birthday wishes to come true, new or old. We must vow to remember that the light twinkling in our own hearts can change the world. We must believe as children do, that the best is yet to come.
And why not celebrate the wonder of this awesome life God has gifted us with? John 10:10: “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” We are so blessed, and the blessings are without end!
i
This made my heart smile 🥰
I am glad! Wishing you a very good day! 🙂
“The magic is still there.” You showed up at just the right time. I’ve been a bit off kilter for a few days and don’t know why. But you’ve changed my way of thinking. Just put my “Gratitude” My Intent bracelet on and that always reminds me to be mindful. God is still in the midst of it all and I sometimes forget just how simple a reminder that can be. Thank you, Linda!
We all need reminding! 🙂 I spent a week with my daughter, her husband, and her two children. The little ones touched my heart! They find such joy in all the little things.
Oh, this post mad my heart happy! Such beautiful and inspiring words! Yes, we could all stand to be more like kids and dogs, slowing down and enjoying the little moments. Thanks for the reminder!
We all get so busy, and sometimes we miss a lot that way. When we slow down, we can appreciate how really blessed we are.
Very well written Linda, we can all indeed learn from puppies and children … life should be taken as it happens and no matter the disasters around us there are still the little joys to be found 🙂
🙂 🙂 🙂
Linda, you reminded me of how much we can, and do, learn from dogs & kids. They are little gifted teachers God sends out way with oversized messages if truths. So true. Stay warm. God’s grip – Alan
You are so right! 🙂 I like the way you put that…”little gifted teachers God sends our way.” We have so much to learn from them!
Thank you for your uplifting post. It is a gift I happily accept.
I am so glad! 🙂
🙂
Oh Linda, how beautiful! Thank you for sharing these precious memories of how children and dogs approach the simple joy of the moment.The picture of your dog made me smile from ear to ear. Thank you for sharing this encouraging reminder. A splash of joy in a weary world. Beautiful!
Thank you Melissa! I hope you find many ‘splashes of joy’ in this coming year. 🙂 In the words of the great poet, William Wordsworth, “The world is too much with us…” We must be open to the joy God so wants us to experience.
Lovely post, it’s never too late to be curious and wonder x
Thank you! 🙂 There is always something new to learn. Adventure awaits us even in our own back yard! We must still that urge to always be doing, always be ‘productive’ in every given moment. Jesus took time for rest, prayer, and reflection. In life there is always work to be done, and so it will be long after we leave this earth for heaven. Along the way, God desires for us to enjoy the goodness of the gifts He has bestowed upon us…the beauty of creation, the friends and family He has so generously provided us with. In response to His goodness, there is celebration on our part.
I SO agree with you. Thus, I love playing with children and dogs. They remind us that we have the inner child (and wonder) still there, within us, if we just let her out to play too.
Yes! our inner child is alive and well. Sometimes, we just need to give ourselves more opportunities to express that wonderful part of our souls. We get very caught up in our to do lists. We tell ourselves continuously that we should be doing more. The opposite is really the truth; if we allow ourselves to have fun, we have more energy to do everything else.
there are many reasons to celebrate life whatever the circumstances
This is just one of many pearls tucked into this post and each one so true. We spend so many hours agonizing over targets and failures. It’s time better spent on looking out for opportunities to celebrate life.
One thing I’ve taken with me into the new work year is your advice to share my gifts with the world. The minute I began to focus on that, I began to hear this in my heart – Be a sign of hope to others. So, I’ve been making a more conscious effort to be just that – without pretending.
And you know what, Linda? Suddenly it seems as if the birds are singing louder.
I do know this…your gifts to the world deeply matter. You have been a gift in my life! I often reflect on your posts and return to read them again. You surely are a blessing to others, and yes, a sign of hope! 🙂
Thank you, thank you so much.
🙂 🙂 🙂
Thank you! The thing I like best about spending time with children or animals is that they do remind us to find joy in the ordinary little things. It really is so easy to get lost in the negativity that we forget all the blessings in our lives.
🙂 🙂 🙂