Life is Beautiful...

I think of myself as a smart woman. I have a lot of life experience. I've lived through things most will not (thank God). I've gone to college. I've advanced in my career. I've read hundreds of books. I've talked with professors of many different topics. I've been a willing participant in many debates (and I think I have a pretty successful record). Even though this is all true, I've noticed in the past several weeks there has been something missing. Something that was important to me as a child. Something my parents taught me.

This "something" is taking the time to find things that are beautiful, inspiring, and say something meaningful to me. I haven't been doing this. I have been living life so fast and forgetting what my parents taught me - slow down and enjoy the small beautiful things that we see every day.

This kind of makes me sad. I'm not going to lie. I have very fond memories growing up of adventures to places unknown where we would find small, beautiful things that were off the beaten path. Things that we had to slow down to see. My mom and dad were such great parents that they saw the importance of including this in our lives along with the rush of the day to day. I just have to say, I was sure blessed with amazing parents. I'm so thankful for them and all of the things they did for me and taught me.

So, to honor my parents (my father who still helps me do this whenever he can, and my mother who is looking down on me, giving me subtle reminders when they are needed), I am going to embark on a personal journey. I am going to stop and find something inspiring every day. I am going to take a picture to document my inspiration. I am going to draw something to portray what I am feeling. I am going to create something to share my journey.

Today, my inspiration came from a very simple source. I was cleaning my apartment (I know, GASP) and found something that was perfect. It is a simple picture holder, with a picture, and a poem that was given to me by my grandmother when my mom passed away. This picture and poem has been a source of comfort for me on days that I am having a hard time living my life without my mom. It also reminds me of the beauty of her love - for my dad, for life, for us. Even though I can't physically hold my mom's hand or feel her hug - she is here. She is guiding me through life through the experiences she shared with me as a child. Thank God for all she did for me. Life sure is beautiful because of her.