Princess Lesson: Appreciation

Sometimes we get caught up in the flurry of everything going on around us that it's very difficult to just "stop and smell the roses", as the saying goes. In the modern world we are always ever so busy. We often don't feel there is time to pause in our rush to work or school to watch a few flakes of snow float by or to listen to the way a river sounds when wind gusts over its glistening surface. Even more so we are often so caught up in our rush that we forget other people- and, most of the time, they are those we know and love.

Today, while out in the bitter cold of the city's winter, I was hit with a certain realization as I was furiously trying to figure out a set of directions I'd been given to a particular location: no one ever really stops in their rush. Even when they may have dropped something. I took the time to step aside from the main flow of pedestrians on the sidewalk to collect my thoughts. And, while doing so, I happened upon a small sum of money. Just one bill, but I took it as a sign.

It had been sitting under many layers of the winter hail and I felt as if it was a sign to me. I was supposed to claim it as it was waiting for me there... Something or someone was taking the time to give me a little boost of confidence. It brought a smile to my face since it was pleasant to feel as if some astral force was giving me a nudge by saying "here's a little help".

And if I hadn't taken that moment to step aside I would have never found that little bit of much-needed help.

But that same moment made me think of how the former owner must have been in quite a rush to not notice the dropping of their bill. This thought brought on others which brings us to this entry. Because right after I'd started with vein of thought I came upon a sign in a local bus that focused on how a woman had never really taken the time to appreciate her husband until he was suddenly gone.

This brought me to the second realization with which this entry started: we are often so busy that we totally forget about the ones we love. This is always intentional. Things happen. Things come up. Appointment and meetings are made an canceled. Maybe you're too busy to tell your loved ones how you feel today because you're rushing out to work, or perhaps you're too tired to give your significant other a kiss goodnight. All these all things seem to add up in some way or another to the people we care about. Whether we notice what we're doing or not, you have to ask yourself... Haven't you ever felt that small pang of sadness when your loved one forgets to say "good night" before falling asleep? Or when someone you care for always forgets to remember some tiny thing or another you always ask about?

I think the most important thing to remember with this lesson is learning to appreciate things and people.

- You should always do your best to remember not only the special days of close friends, but try to remember those of newly introduced acquaintances- you never know, they may become a good friend in your future.

- Try to appreciate the small things in each day that are wonderful. Perhaps you think the way a single snowflake floats across the sky is beautiful, or the sight of a red robin amidst a icy tree. Either way, there is no harm in stopping for even a brief moment to admire these things you find beautiful.

- Remember your significant other. Even if you see them on a daily basis, that doesn't mean you shouldn't always tell them, even in small ways, that you care. Sometimes, even just remembering what their favourite food is, or how many marshmallows they like in their hot chocolate can brighten their day.

- Remember your friends. Take the time to at least think on what makes each of your close friends special to you. Perhaps you may even feel the need to tell them of this in either a small note or phone call. Or, maybe, you are aware one of your friends isn't feeling well- call them. Just expending that small effort will help both of you feel better.

- A closed door doesn't mean no opportunity. Appreciate the world we live in today with so many opportunities. Even if a door for one opportunity closes, many more will open- it just depends on how hard you're willing to work.

- Finally, take the time to enjoy everything small and beautiful. Be happy you have friends. Let yourself fall in love with your significant other all over again. Think on how enjoyable the taste of your favourite tea is or how delicious the delicate flavour of butter in your most loved biscuit is. Nothing is too small to notice. Nothing is too small to appreciate.