The Little Things

As the school year gets underway, I am always so struck by not only how lucky I am to be in the position that I am, but also how different my life is from most people.  Generally, my day isn't complete unless I'm covered in dirt and I've got really bad helmet hair from working high ropes.  I also get to have an incredible job where I work really, really hard, but I also get the chance to take in the amazing things all around me.  I get to slow down and point out super cool things to kids.  It's mostly because of teachable moments, but often the person who gets taught is me.  I think a lot of times we get caught up in the big things that make us happy.  The big events, the obviously happy things that everyone can see.  One of the things that I'm trying to focus on finding joy and happiness in little things.  There are so many parts of nature that we miss because we get distracted or we're so laser-focused on doing things perfectly.

Here's some things that I've found that are so tiny and yet have brought me a lot of joy.

• watching crawfish crawl around in the creek
• seeing one bright red leaf in the middle of a bed of gravel
• watching the cycle of wildflowers along the side of the road
• sitting in a hammock
• watching the sunrise through the morning fog
• listening to the rain off of the trees
• feeding the horses in the morning
• driving to the park to watch the sunset
• wandering the back roads of Brown County with really loud music

There is so much beauty and joy around us, and it can often get buried underneath our constant movement and our constant worry.  I know I get often caught up in my own anxieties, but this goal has already allowed me to see a marked change in my day.  By searching out joy everywhere, I get to see joy everywhere.