Today I enjoyed watching storm clouds roll in while I was playing outside with my daughter.  Mostly, I enjoyed watching the amazement in her eyes.  I can’t blame her for being captivated because it was a beautiful storm.  I wish my pictures did it justice.

About thirty seconds after I shot this photo it poured down.  We had a blast!

Happiness resides in the ability to appreciate little things. In a friends smile, in dinner with a loved one, in a cozy sweater, in walking and focusing on the trees, flowers, ground, sky, and in the beauty of nature.

What beautiful thing have you taken note of today?

Enjoy the little things.

Today I’m enjoying the beauty of childhood.

If you’re ever feeling unmotivated, down in the dumps, angry or just plain crummy, go and take a walk.  It’s a fabulous way to hit the reset button on your emotions.  There’s something about getting moving, being in nature, and getting away from distractions of life that can help you get over any emotional hump.  Even if you’re in a good mood it will raise your spirits even higher.

Today, enjoy the beauty of a walk.

This month’s theme is Embracing the Beauty in the Everyday.  The everyday things of life can be beautiful but too often we’re too busy to slow down and see them.  This month I want to purposefully slow down and reflect on something each day that we can be thankful for and see the beauty in.

Today’s everyday moment for me was enjoying a warm cup of tea while reading a good book.  Do you realize what a blessing it is to even be able to read?  It does my soul good to remember that while I take reading for granted many, many people in the world today can’t read.  Think about that for a moment and really let it sink in.  While my words my not be profound and they sure aren’t the most eloquent you’ll ever read it is still an enormous privilege that you can read them. Most certainly not because they’re mine but because you have the ability to read.

Have you ever noticed the magic that happens when you give books to children?  Their smiles widen and their eyes sparkle and dance as their imagination awakens.

As adults we can lose that enchantment as we’re forced to read dry text books and long legal documents but reading can take us anywhere and make us become anything we want to be.

Can you tell I’m passionate about reading?  Being a busy mom of two I don’t have time to pour into books like I did before but I still manage to sneak a book or two in every month.

One of my recent favorites is pictured above.  I had the honor of being asked to write an endorsement for this book and after reading it I was more than pleased to do so.  It’s an refreshingly honest and immensely encouraging book.  Here’s what it’s Amazon description says,

Do regret and shame over your failures, sins, and shortcomings make you wonder how you could ever be loved, much less used, by a holy God? Tracie Miles felt the same way until she discovered the path to healing, peace, and significance.

She helps you recognize that God not only has a purpose for you, but He has prepared you for your divine purpose based specifically on the experiences of your past.

If you’re looking for a new book to enjoy, this is a great pick!  Plus, it’s on sale right now on Amazon from $14.99 to only $11.09.

Whatever you’re reading right now, slow down and be thankful for the opportunity to.

Have a beautiful day!