2.01.2011

the moments...

I have a large plant in my living room.  I see it every day. 


Last week, while watering it, I noticed this...


Obviously with a plant this size, there is new life springing forth on it all the time.  It makes me ponder.  What else am I missing?

I do think Andrew Henry and I are people who notice and appreciate the small moments and miracles in life.  We often stand at the window and watch the sun come up in the morning, we go outside to breathe in the sunsets (they are amazing here), we stand in awe and watch the hawks float in the sky near our home.  Still I ponder what I might be missing. 


I was taking photos of burnt toast last month, there were many pieces.  I kept burning it because I'd put it in and walk away to do something else for those two minutes it takes to toast the bread.  I have many many things I want to accomplish each day (don't we all?) and you can do a lot in two minutes but you can also burn toast.

I decided to try this month and be even more in the moments.  I stood and waited for our popcorn to pop last night.  Just stood there watching it, listening to it and it was fascinating - pop pop pop.  I enjoyed the moment and felt appreciative of everything, my warm kitchen full of food, my husband waiting in the next room, that I could stand and see and smell and taste.  I don't want to miss anything, especially the little things because really - they aren't little things at all.


There is magic everywhere!

28 comments:

jandjhome said...

So true! We get so caught up in life that we forget to look around. Thanks for making me stop for a second.

Diana Mieczan said...

Im so inspired by this post, sweetie. Im really trying my best to enjoy all the little moments each day and your words made me even more happy about this goal of mine. Happy Tuesday, my dear

Ps: this morning I just set in my kitchen while Balazs was making eggs for us. Usually I do 100 little things in that time. I loved just being there with him and having a little chat!

Kim@Chattafabulous said...

Beautiful post jeanette, and so true! The miracle of God's creations are everywhere - it's up to us to take the time to enjoy them!

lisaroy said...

Great to take a moment to appreciate what's around you. It's easy to get so caught up in chores and rushing about that it feels as though life is passing by! off to watch my scones brown in the oven!! :)

Brenda Pruitt said...

Ah, what a beautiful "frame" in the last photo. I'm with you. I think I shall stand there and wait for the bread to toast next time. Not scurry around trying to get menial tasks accomplished. Because we don't want to keep rushing time. Until there's no more. I feel blessed to have read this.
Brenda

The Weaver of Grass said...

Agree absolutely. The farmer is marvellous at noticing little things and pointing them out to me.
There are all kinds of things going on right under our noses and we never see them.

RockinJ9designs said...

Just grab the burned toast and with a butter knife scrape off the hard crumbles. Then, you slather it with peanut butter or whipped cream cheese, top it with fresh berries and whalah! The kids will never know the difference. Plus, you saved some bread from a grizzly death.

KR said...

Yes, absolutely!
Fabulous shot of a beautiful flower!

Andrew H. said...

Boy, you can tell J9 has young kids. :-)

Very nice post. I was making some toast this morning and I recall feeling the waves of heat from the toaster rising up to my forehead as I looked inside. The little details...

MJM said...

All I'm noticing right now is my frozen feet from walking to school! But, I will try to take the time to slow down. :)

Tanya (a Taste of T) said...

So true. There is SO much magic everywhere...even in burnt toast :)

quintessence said...

I so relate to this - I always seem to be multitasking. Did you ever read Dominique Browning's post on this issue? It's so hard sometimes to force yourself to slow down when there seems to be so much to do - but it's always worth it when you do!

Felicity said...

There sure is!

I love that your eyes are open to the gifts we are given each and every day - for this, not only your eyes but your heart needs to be open.

Felicity x

PS: I wonder how many bloggers burn the toast, overflow the sink, or something else because we get caught up in a post, email etc?

pamela said...

that last picture is gorgeous! i want to frame it. yesterday my daughter and i stopped to listen to some birds making noises up on a rooftop. it was really nice to just STOP.

Jillian said...

I love to take pleasure in the small things... at least you didn't burn grandmas birthday cake (my brother and I were not the most loved people last night hahaha)

Lisa Lisa Lisa said...

You bring up a really excellent point. I work for WSU and we are focusing on a Be Here campaign. We are encouraging people to be in the moment and to really be paying attention to what they are doing. I also am ALWAYS reminding students to watch where they are walking while texting.

Ren- Lady Of The Arts said...

Love the idea of stopping in moments and resisting the urge to multitask- I try and stay as far away from the microwave as possible when it is on- I am very paranoid.

Mug said...

Ahhh...such wisdom in this post:)...
I'm glad I'm not the only one who burns toast again...and again... and, yes, it is because I keep trying to do 22 other things while it is toasting!
You're right...We all need to live more "in the moment"...to "smell the roses"...

Stitchfork said...

LOL over the toast pics! Been there, done that too. Such good advice today!
xo Cathy

angryparsnip said...

I so agree ! and you and I are so lucky to live where we do, Arizona is a photo wonder.

cheers, parsnip

Kirsty Girl said...

live in the moment! :)

Style, She Wrote said...

Lovely post! I love the idea of finding magic in the every day; it's such a good feeling when you do! xo style, she wrote

Stacey said...

I strive to always be in each moment, but it can be so difficult sometimes; my mind is usually racing with thoughts of what i need to get done.

Carol {Everyday Delights} said...

Beautiful post! Its so true, as cliche as it sounds, you just need to stop and smell the roses once in a while!

Maria said...

So true - for everyone!
Beautiful photos - even of the toast!

RJ9 - my boys would NEVER eat that toast - I don't care WHAT I put on it - picky boogers! Alas, no, that lovely meal would fall Mommy.

bronwyn said...

This was really beautiful. I try really hard to notice the little things and I think I do a pretty good job most of the time but it is so easy to forget. What a lovely reminder.

Nicole said...

Very nicely put, and there are some great things out there that we miss sometimes.

Unknown said...

I have a plant similar to that in our bedroom that just keeps growing and growing. It needs to be repotted ASAP, it's too big for its britches. So sweet to see the miracle of life right before our very eyes!