"Little Things"

Trying to stay sane (in this busy, crazy world!) is not always easy.

I try hard to keep perspective... maintain balance... and not "sweat the small stuff". Our lives are not a competition - or a destination- and one of the secrets to happiness is, in my opinion, learning to celebrate the small things in life.

With that in mind, I'd like to share one of my favorite writings. Originally an ad from United Technologies Corporation, and I've always loved it. Enjoy!

LITTLE THINGS
Most of us
miss out
on life’s big prizes.
The Pulitzer.
The Nobel.
Oscars.
Tonys.
Emmys.
Grammys.
But we’re
all eligible
for life’s small pleasures.
A pat
on the back.
A kiss
on the cheek.
A four pound bass.
A hole in one.
A full moon.
An empty parking space.
A crackling fire.
A great meal.
A glorious sunset.
Hot soup.
Cold lemonade.
A smile from a friend.
Don’t fret
about
copping life’s
grand awards.
Enjoy its
tiny delights.
There are plenty
for all of us.

Quote of the Day

Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life.
It turns what we have into enough, and more.
It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity.
It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend.
Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.

--Melody Beattie

(Photo taken at Niagara-on-the-Lake in Canada, where my boy surprised me a few years back with a wonderful -- and very romantic -- anniversary weekend at the gorgeous Queen's Landing Inn.)

DESIDERATA

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be;
and whatever your labors and aspirations
in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

-- 1927 by Max Ehrmann (1872-1945)

Photo of night sky from: here