The Small Pleasures in Life are Free

We have all heard the phrase, "Don't sweat the small stuff".  I have adopted this as a daily life affirming mantra.  Pretty much, it's all small stuff.  Hand it over to God, do your part and keep on keeping on.  I want to celebrate the small stuff.  It sounds trite, but in challenging economic times, when we cannot afford to amuse ourselves, we need to get back to basics.

It is May in Michigan, and for our soft maple trees, this is helicopter season.  These little seed pods fall off a tree and twirl all the way down to the ground.  Simply put, it is something that is small, but wonderful to watch.  It is peaceful to sit on the front porch and watch nature.  We have a bird feeder out front that attracts robins, sparrows, blue jays, cardinals and squirrels of all kinds.  Between us and the neighbors, the animal population eat very well in our neck of the woods.  We throw everything from old cereal to moldy bread, to stuff we are sick of looking at in there and by the end of a couple of days, it is all gone.  Looks a little empty, might have to let the one year old wheat chex go today.  It is fun to watch the blue jays chase off the other birds and the sparrows hang in there for the little pieces. 

Just last week, our crab apple tree was full of light pink blossoms.  So beautiful that just coming around the corner and seeing it made you smile.  Then, a cool breeze and the air was full of small pink leaves just floating down.  It was like a scene from a movie.  Peaceful.  

Don't we all want a little peace in our hectic lives.  God made this earth with purpose.  Some of that purpose is to slow down and watch His magical creation renew itself.  Small, but wonderful miracles happen every day and we are blessed enough to be witness to it.  The trees are back with leaves after a hard, hard winter.  Our lives are always in a different season, and we need to appreciate where we are and what is around us.  The world around us, that we so frequently ignore, is made to be enjoyed.  What could be better than laying on the grass with your kids and watching the clouds go by?  

Take some time today and watch a flower bloom or watch the grass grow (even though you have to mow it tomorrow).  What miracle awaits you in your backyard?  Even in the desert, you can find life and wonderfulness, I know, I lived there.  Find some sunshine and laugh a little.  Cooper found a four leaf clover at a baseball game the other night.  How many people walked right over that little miracle and never saw it?  Go four leaf clover hunting, that is some kind of fun with your kids.  Find a something to celebrate today, in the small wonders around you.  Teach your kids to celebrate the wonders of nature.

God bless you and yours.