Daily Inspiration 4-20-17

"Awareness is a choice, and sometimes it takes effort.
But it's never disappointing if we truly put some effort into it.
The rewards for our effort already surround us all the time,
but they're awards that we miss constantly
until we make the decision to open our eyes and our hearts
to the beauty that's always everywhere."

-- Tom Walsh

[Classic post from 8-31-12]

It's interesting and funny too about becoming more aware. I see things I never would have seen before, though they may have always been there. My hearing has intensified, along with a sense of calm, yet with joy. I would have never put those two words together before, but it is true.

I was thinking about appreciation today, and appreciation comes from more awareness. It transcends gratitude. It is love. It is attention, or rather, focused-attention, or a better way to say it might be loving attention.

Now, I am aware of me appreciating things all throughout the day. On the two mile trip back home from the bank today, I was appreciating and being sort of astounded by the thousands of shades of green from the grass to trees to bushes. I used to be focused on where I was going and probably how the traffic was hampering me and so on, but now I have those strange words together: calmness and joy, and it comes as a side benefit of my act of appreciation of what I am experiencing.

How do I translate that to my daily life or work, errands, family, etc.? By the act of appreciation in my little trips where ever I may go, I am of a different mind, or attitude and that becomes me, so that the next encounter I have in business or a loved one is improved as a result. It makes me better, more attentive, more loving, more calm, and with an inner joy that has a long-term smile on my face. In this way, it affects every one around me.

Today I was in the grocery store for a few items and I was carrying around that joy of my day, and I noticed there were several others who seemed to be affected positively by it. I thought that was very interesting, but you know it is true because we feel these things from others, just as we do when they are pissed off, angry, or unhappy.

If you're not of the habit, try just noticing the beauty that is all around you as you travel through your day. Whether you're on your way to or from work, on an errand, traveling to see a client, looking out the office window--no matter where you are, I am certain there is plenty around you to be appreciative of, and by spending a few present moments in giving those things attention along with your other doings, you too will be of a different mind. Then, just practice that every day.

Honor The Moment, The Beauty, And What You Are Doing Together. There Is No Need To Separate Them.

Spread Some Joy Today--Oh, how fast joy spreads through appreciation! Be an active conduit.