Finding joy in small Moments
As the holiday season is quickly approaching, kids are filling their Christmas lists with tangible items, in hopes that Santa will deliver these items to them on Christmas morning. However during this time of gifts, it is easy to forget that the holidays are supposed to be a time of graciousness. As I’ve gotten older and have began to see this Holiday for what it truly is, I’ve turned to appreciating moments more so than unwrapping a gift.
Lately, I’ve been stressed. Like really stressed. I am going through a period of my life of extreme change and it’s scary. YET THAT’S OKAY! While change terrifies me sometimes, it allows me to appreciate what’s in front of me even more. This had led me to appreciate small moments.
What are small moments?
Small moments are the daily interactions with our surroundings and those around us that we take for granted.
Some examples:
Going to the grocery store with a loved one
Going on a walk with a loved one
Cooking
Trying something new- I recently picked up a Rubik’s Cube!!
Conversations
Essentially any small interaction that you may not hold value in from day to day is a small moment. However, though seemingly trivial, these moments hold the most value.
A recent one of my Small moments
This past week I was feeling really stressed, drowned in schoolwork and not getting some of the grades that I wanted. I sat up in my room staring at one of my assignments an hour, trying to understand how to complete it. After some time goes by my dad hollers up to me to let me know that he was heading to the store. I made the decision to go with him, even though I was feeling very overwhelmed with my schoolwork.
Looking back on that experience, I am grateful that I stepped away from my schoolwork to spend time with my dad, because it enabled me to be more focused once we got back and I was able to hangout with my dad which can be a rarity at times. Since this experience, I have had many other reflective small moments that I have grown to appreciate over the years such as exercising with my family and having two hour conversations with them at the dinner table about whatever is on my mind.
It’s easy to have small moments, but how can you appreciate them?
Small Moments - How to appreciate them.
Take the initiative to do things that are out of your comfort zone
take the initiative to take advantage of any opportunity to spend time with your loved ones
Fully invest yourself into this opportunity and experience. Try to block out any stressors.
A few days later, see if you still remember that encounter. If you did, then it is likely that you took it to heart and appreciated it. If not, that's okay too. You may have impacted your loved one in a positive way instead!