day to day

FROM "A LESSON LEARNED"
If you are familiar with my family AT ALL then you know that we LOVE video games in our house! That's right...me included!! We have several game systems and we love to play alone or as a family!! It's a fun way to escape, laugh and spend time together!! We definitely enjoy most any video games!! Among others, we have two handheld video games, a Nintendo DS and a Gameboy Micro. Often the boys will sit right next to me on the sofa while I'm watching TV, working on the computer or reading and play one of their handheld games. Recently, Maddox and I were sitting on the sofa while Ashtyn was at school and Maddox was playing the DS. I was busy with my thing and he was concentrating hard on his. He hadn't said a word, or made a noise for that matter, for quite some time when suddenly he bursted out loudly with an excited "YES!!" He even gestured by punching his fist high into the air showing all over his body how excited he was!! I was kind of shocked to hear a peep out of him (as he had been in such deep thought before) and almost jumped at the sudden movement and loud exclamation from my little man. I looked over at him trying to match my response to how excited he was! I asked "Did you win?" Maddox shook his head and looked up at me to say, "No, I started the game all by myself!" He smiled, proudly!!
Lesson Learned? To me, Maddox's overly joyful exclamation didn't quite match what he had achieved. I thought to myself "Ooo-kay.." when I found out what he had actually accomplished. But the more I thought aobut it the more it became clear that if the rest of us applied Maddox's reaction to our own lives what better lives we would have!! If only we enjoyed the small things in life. If only we rejoiced in the "day to day". If only we smiled and bragged about the mini milestones and not just the big ones! How different would our lives be?? Think about it. What did you accomplish today? Most of us would say the same thing..."nothin" But if we considered an accomplishment something as small as being able to figure out how to start a video game all by ourselves, then we may have way more accomplishements in our lives and probably be more proud of ourselves and also enjoy life more! The point is...enjoy every moment! Don't take anything for granted! Love the little things in your day! Look forward to the small things! I'm going to try something and I encourange you to do the same...I'm going to make it a point to try and put something on everyday of my personal calendar that I can look forward to in that day. I don't want to "wish away" my life looking forward to only the weekends, family vacations and special occasions. I want to enjoy Tuesday!! I want to enjoy Monday night and a lazy Saturday!! Join me won't you!! Take joy in each moment, whether it's putting cool whip on top of a cup of hot cocoa late at night or sitting on the back porch in peace and quiet while your kids nap, just find a small moment each day to love! To remind you that "this is what life is all about"! Take a lesson from my 3 year old (as I definitely am) and pencil something in to look forward to tomorrow! The Bible tells us that "the joy of the Lord is our strength". Find something to celebrate and have joy in! I know I'm going to try!