Appreciating the Small Things in Life

Well, I made it through my first day back at work; it was much as I had expected....a pile of paperwork in my mailbox and a long line of clients who had waited a week to talk to 'their' counselor.  My co-workers all seemed genuinely glad to see me, and all agreed that the changes I had made took ten years off my appearance.  I don't believe I had mentioned, but I'd changed my hair color from a medium blond that was giving me a washed out look to a dark blond that seems to give my face a natural glow.  I also chopped two inches of dry, brittle ends off.  That sure made me feel good.


There are things that we don't want to happen but have to accept, things we don't want to know but have to learn, and people we can't live without but have to let go.--Author Unknown


But all was not so sunny on my return.  Sadly, I learned that we lost a client last week.  Clients have passed away before, and it always hurts so deeply when you learn that someone you have worked with is gone, but almost all of the clients I have lost were those who had chosen to give up their recovery and return into the world of drugs. This man, however, was doing everything right. He had almost a year alcohol/drug free and was scheduled to speak at the graduation ceremony this Friday; after living in the shelter system for most of his adult years, he finally had obtained and was maintaining his own studio apartment; he had found a girlfriend and was so happily in love, and was actually thinking of returning to the workforce...all this after over 20 years of getting high and living on the streets. In fact, he'd done such a complete turnaround in his life that he had been approached to do a documentary on his life.  He went to sleep last Friday and never woke up.

Whenever you lose someone by death, it makes you appreciate life so much more. You begin to look at your life through a new set of eyes and see the quality of what life has to offer. It makes become more appreciative of things, of life, to become humble and not take anything for granted.  For example, sunshine is is a precious gift; it brings us a feeling of joy and warms our spirits on days when we are feeling low, but it is all too easy to not appreciate those sunny days in our lives.

This past weekend when I went out into the backyard to hang my clothes, my neighbor was mowing her lawn. I love the scent of freshly mowed grass, but do really really think about nature's miracle?  Grass in itself is a gift, a miracle. First, it grows from a tiny seed into a luscious green carpeting growth which we mow because we like it to be a certain height..Then, nature takes over and the grass once again grows to new heights, and the cycle continues, reminding us of the cycle of life. Waking up in the morning and being thankful for another day is such an awesome experience in itself for with each new day we have the ability to meet new goals and succeed in ways we have never imagined. 

Life moves too quickly. We often look up and wonder where did it all go?   The little things in life...they are so precious because we never get them back. These are the moments that we need to enjoy and appreciate....because all too soon they, too, will become distant memories.  Those flowers in your yard....take the time to smell them...breathe deeply...take it all in. Because we may never get the chance again.


While we are mourning the loss of our friend, others are rejoicing to meet him behind the veil. --John Taylor