Little Delights

Today's MMC came to me as I read the quote you'll find at the end of this week's message. But the "universe" provided the reminders of just how powerful those "little delights" are in making a "five star life" during the past several days as I've reflected on how brief this life truly is.

Someone has wisely said, "don't sweat the small stuff". I agree completely, so instead of sweating the small stuff that aggravates and irritates, start paying attention to and embracing the little delights that make life rich. It's a funny thing about life that we tend to attract more of what we focus our attention on. And it's so easy to get caught up focusing attention on things way beyond our control: wars, the economy, foreclosures, job losses...the list is endless. Or focusing on what's not working or what we don't like about our lives.

It's also possible to spend time everyday taking in the "little delights" that life serves up regularly. Our job is to notice and appreciate them. What a difference it makes in your day, your attitude, your life when you spend your time being grateful for those little things. Here is a list of 25 "little delights" I'm choosing to notice today. I hope you'll join me and add to the list.

1. Sunrises and sunsets
2. The sound of children's laughter
3. The happy wag of your dog's tail when you come home
4. The smell of fresh coffee brewing
5. An unexpected phone call from a friend
6. The way the air smells after a rain shower
7. The smell of fresh cut grass
8. A Saturday morning with nothing planned
9. The contented purring of your cat
10. The way your body works, even without direction from you
11. A glass of fresh cold water on a hot day
12. A deep breath that nourishes you from head to toe
13. Something that makes you laugh 'til you can't stop
14. A favorite quote that inspires you
15. Someone who kindly lets you in front of them in traffic
16. Hitting all the green lights
17. Those special words, "I love you"
18. The color and scent of fresh flowers
19. The mockingbird who sings constantly just outside my home
20. An afternoon nap
21. Listening to a favorite song
22. Slipping into freshly laundered sheets
23. Having a balanced checkbook (I know it's crazy but it feels good!)
24. Having something to look forward to everyday
25. Loving the person looking back at you in the mirror

Take some time everyday to savor the little delights. "Come to your senses" and really appreciate them. It is in embracing the little things that we develop the capacity to enjoy the bigger things in life...the wedding, the graduation, the goal-achieved or the promotion.

I can say it no better than the anonymous writer of this week's special quote. Read on and then make the commitment to starting noticing and enjoying more of the "little delights" in your life.