Stop & Smell The Roses

This world is crazy. You probably opened this up at work. After work you have to rush home. You get your evenings off but that doesn't mean you get to relax. Maybe you have kids and have to make sure dinner is ready. Maybe you participate in a softball or volleyball league and need to make sure you beat traffic or that beer will be warm and you won't be able to stretch properly. Speaking of stretching, have you been to the gym this week? This month? This year? Don't forget your doctor told you to get your 8 hours of sleep. He also said no more late night snacks, put that Oreo down! You finally lay down at midnight knowing that tomorrow is another day full of bills, work, rush hour traffic, and every thing that comes your way on a daily basis.

Jared, are you mocking me? Why would you make me recall my day? I am making you recall your day because I think you missed something. I think you were so focused on the negative parts of your day that you forgot how great your life is. 

The title of this blog post is "Stop & Smell The Roses." The reason for this post is because I don't think that we always focus on the right parts of our day when we deal with the craziness of life. When was the last time you stopped and counted your blessings? 

My last time was over 4th of July weekend. The family was together at the cabin and all got to spend some time together. It was a more frequent occurrence when we were all younger but with all of us going six different directions, not often are we all in one place at one time. 

View of the lake from the cabin. One of my favorite views. 

I looked out at the calm lake and just took it all in. The sunset, the lake, the loon in the distance and the bonfire that was about to need another log added. Stress overwhelms all of us. I had been stressed out about what I was going to do next school year and just didn't have the best week. As soon as I looked out over the lake, it did not matter. I had my family, I had a roof to sleep under, and I had the feeling of knowing that halfway around the world Cassidy was having the time of her life in Europe. The simple things were achieved, and there was nothing else that I needed. 

I encourage you this week to look around you at the simple things that you have that many people might not have. The majority of us have so much to be thankful for but rarely do we embrace it and many times we take it for granted. 

As for me? One of the things I am most thankful for is my first summer off from teaching. Like I said I have no idea what the future holds but am blessed in knowing the God has a plan for me and that everything will fall into place. Until then, I am off to go golf for the 4th time this week, another thing I am extremely thankful for. 

Have a great Thursday and a wonderful weekend, 

-J-