Recently several of my conversations have revolved around the topic of living in the moment and not letting opportunities pass us by. I find it interesting that this topic has come up so often lately, so of course I couldn't ignore what was possibly the universe giving me a sign of what I needed in my life!
I had been searching for an inspiring topic for my blog, to tie in some beautiful sunset pictures that I had taken on the night of my birthday. And when looking at those pictures one night it hit me how amazingly fast the sun sets, in just moments it settles into the horizon. And isn't that life...passing us by so quickly when we don't take time to enjoy the beauty of each moment and experience the joy of each opportunity that is presented to us. How boring life would be if we never jumped at some chances now and then!
I took a bike ride up in Door County yesterday and as I was biking I realized that if I would have stayed home, I would have missed out on a spectacular day! I'm going to use that feeling every time I feel like staying home or think there there is something else I HAVE to get done. We only have each day once and to not make that day a good experience is a waste of a gift!
During my ride I stopped often to take pictures along the trails. At one point while I was shooting a picture of a wild flower, my bike tipped over. When I got back on my bike to continue my ride, I realized my chain had fallen off and was really stuck in the gears. I tugged and pulled at it for a little while, gradually inching the chain from the gears, while moving the pedals back and forth. In a final moment of frustration I gave a big tug and from behind me I hear, "Ah, somebodies chain fell off!" I turned and looked and there was an older man and his grandson that had stopped to check out the situation. As it turns out, 10 year old Adam fixes bike chains all the time! In less than two minutes he had my chain back on and he and his grandpa were on their way.
Several times during my bike ride I met up with Adam and his grandpa, sometimes riding along with them for a ways, watching Adam pop wheelies, while he asked me what I was taking pictures of and if my bike was ok. I just found this young boy and his grandpa to be so engaging, that I couldn't help but smile to myself and think how awesome this random act of kindness was...almost like Adam was a little guardian angel. And if I would have stayed home yesterday, I would have missed out on this moment...a moment of despair turned, precious.
I received another gift yesterday, this one a belated birthday gift. It is a casted mold of a leaf with the saying on it, "Life is a Succession of Moments. To live each one is to succeed." Whatever your moment is, watching a sunset or your child's soccer game, attending a wedding, dealing with a frustrating bike chain, or a grueling day of work, just remember to slow down and be present each minute of every moment...that is what life is all about, and that is success!
Posts
