“If we look at the world with a love of life, the world will reveal its beauty to us.” -Daisaku Ikeda
Whenever I visit my family in Massachusetts, I notice changes all around me. Sometimes it’s something major, like a Rite Aid where a Mom and Pop shop used to be. Sometimes it’s something less noticeable, like a new door on my parents’ neighbor’s house.
Other times, these changes take place in my family. My mother’s changed her hair color, or my sister looks completely different after weeks on a new diet, or my father’s decided to embrace bright-colored clothes–despite formerly insisting to my mother that they’re “beige and earth tones people.”
Minor or major, outside or inside, every change catches my eye when I’m visiting because I’m there so infrequently. Each shift reminds me that a lot of life has happened in my absence, and it’s imperative that I notice and appreciate every beautiful detail while I have the chance to do it.
Anything can change in a heartbeat, and so much often does before we have the chance to stop, admire, and enjoy the beauty in how things are.
If we want to, we can make a million-and-one excuses to get caught up in our heads, wondering when things are going to get good. I know I’ve done it before, and I’ve missed a lot in the process.
The alternative is to make a point every day to notice all the beautiful details, as they are, while they’re there. This moment will never come again. What’s there to love today?
Photo by Ste3ve
About Lori Deschene
Lori Deschene is the founder of Tiny Buddha. She started the site after struggling with depression, bulimia, c-PTSD, and toxic shame so she could recycle her former pain into something useful and inspire others do the same. She recently created the Breaking Barriers to Self-Care eCourse to help people overcome internal blocks to meeting their needs—so they can feel their best, be their best, and live their best possible life. If you’re ready to start thriving instead of merely surviving, you can learn more and get instant access here.
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