Mariposa Kisses (aka Dianne's Blog)

Big things happen in our lives, don't get me wrong. But don't you agree, that life is primarily comprised of millions of little moments pieced together? And before we know it, we'll all be in our mid-nineties snacking on yogurts and other soft foods like tofu and pudding. Over the weekend, we had a few sporting events and then came home to do yard-work. This might not sound overly glorious, but both my husband and I felt like it was one of our best family days together in a long time. During the week, we race around like two ships passing in the night--- so busy and exhausted that we can barely outlast our kids before crashing into bed. So it's important to appreciate the seemingly insignificant stuff--- like yard-work. Another example: how my vacuum cleaner started working again instead of smoking like a barbecue. Or like when the ice maker started making ice again so I could have a cold glass of Coke in the afternoon. Or when the kids ditched more screen time to sit at the table to make origami Yoda figurines instead--- completely of their own volition. Here's the thing---- if we don't take time to appreciate the little moments in life, we simply won't enjoy life. We'll waste our time just waiting for that next vacation, the next raise, the next contract, the next whatever! You see, if we can't enjoy the NOW, through the chaos and stress and sickness and debt and arguments (that come for all of us at times)--- then we will have lived lives of discontentment--- yearning for what never came or what might have come but couldn't really satisfy for long anyways. The catch: life will pass us by regardless of how we respond to it. Minutes turn into hours which turn into days, weeks, and eventually years. So make the most of this day because it's a gift---- which sounds cliche, I know. But the truth is---- WE CAN TURN MUNDANE MOMENTS INTO TREASURE TROVES OF SIGNIFICANCE--- if we pause to notice them. So join me as we slow down to appreciate the little moments---today. Share your thoughts here. I'd love to hear from you.

After about 10,000 attempts, Thomas Edison finally invented the incandescent light bulb. When asked if he thought he was a failure for the previous 9,999 attempts, he answered that he wasn't; he realized that he had simply discovered a bunch of ways not to make a light bulb. Each night when we turn on the lights, I'm thankful that Edison chose not to give up. And that's my challenge to you and to myself. Let's not give up on our lofty dreams and ambitions. Let's use those aspirations to fuel and change the world together for good. Don't think about your failures; focus instead, on the areas where you've had success in your life--- maybe even just by changing the life of one person. Perhaps you made someone smile today or laugh at a new joke. Your mind is a powerful tool; if you decide to believe the wrong thing about yourself--- that you're a failure and a loser--- then your demise is your own fault. Try to turn it around by focusing on the things that are true instead---- that you are talented, beautiful, smart, and creative beyond belief. Keep me posted on some of your recent accomplishments and some of your far fetched day-dreams as well; I'd love to hear from you.