Yellow Toothbrush

This week, I opened a new package of toothbrushes and chose my favorite color, yellow.  Instantly, I was so impressed that I asked my husband and son if they, too, needed a new toothbrush.  Toothbrushes, like most other things have become high tech.  This particular purchase incorporated pleasing design features with soft bristles, but was a drugstore brand, not a widely recognized, broadly marketed product.  Of the hundreds of toothbrushes I've had, this one is the first I've ever thought much about and actually tried to share a similar one with family members.  My fascination is multi-faceted:

• I've consciously chosen my favorite color for something that I use twice per day.
• Though most toothbrushes accomplish the task, this one is gentle and effective.
• I love bargains that are actually, in my perception, the best available product.
• It's a daily, happy reminder that simple pleasures have high, positive impact.
• It makes me smile each time a brush my teeth.

2013 is my year of yellow toothbrushes and their cousins.

Paying Attention

One of the curses of perpetual busyness is a failure to really notice the things that are always present.  I have several pictures of my precious children at various ages in my home office.  I glance at them each time I sit at the computer.  Because they are both hundreds of miles away, I've spent more time really focusing on these precious images.  I've loved every age and stage of their lives and their bright smiles captured in these special photos warm my heart.

This experience reminded me that it's not enough to fill the spaces where we spend a lot of time with things that bring us joy.  We have to pause long enough to absorb the joy. 

Paper Chains

Recalling many paper chain experiences makes me smile.  It's amazing how engaged a group can become when linking strips of brightly colored construction paper together with glue.  During my volunteer years at Texas Children's Hospital, we sometimes saw competitiveness as children raced to construct the longest chain.  Other times, we saw collaboration, as the evening's group of children decided to join forces and see how long the chain could become with everyone working together.  On one of our family's 550 mile road trips to Arkansas years ago, our backseat paper chain construction made the miles more joyful and quick.  And at last year's Sterling Bank family picnic following the March of Dimes walk, an eager group of children and adults quickly assembled a crowd-pleasing length.

Though the paper chain structure is temporary, the paper chain memories remain.

Little Things

Little things can brighten our days:

• an unexpected compliment
• a note from a friend
• a call from a loved one
• a child's laugh
• a baby's smile
• a sale at a favorite store
• sunshine after the rain
• the first bloom in the garden
• a hot bath
• a cold drink
• the driver who acknowledges your silent plea to change lanes
• finding the perfect gift
• generating a great idea in a meeting
• checking one more item off your to-do list
• reconnecting with an old friend
• being recommended by a friend or colleague
• sitting in front of a cozy fireplace
• starting a new book
• a cat's purr
• solving a puzzle
• enjoying a great meal
• coming home

In our haste we can miss some of life's treasured moments.

One More

Which one is meaningful to you?

One more:

Sunrise
Sunset
Hello
Goodbye
Hug
Kiss
Dance
Song
Right Answer
Promotion
Life Saved
Passion Ignited
Friend Made
Game Won
Skill Improved
Meal Created
Meal Enjoyed
Outcome Embraced
Lap Completed
Experiment Ended
Lesson Learned
Message Received
Life Touched
Memory Made
Picture Taken
Masterpiece Created
Colleague Inspired
Neighbor Helped
Child Loved
Stranger Encouraged
Associate Helped
Treatment Administered
Treatment Completed
Story Told
Fish Caught
Book Written
Book Read
Sale Made
Presentation Delivered
Call Made
Flower Planted
Bloom Emerged
Bouquet Delivered
Vitamin Ingested
Muscle Strengthened
Lesson Learned
Compliment Created
Self Shared

Let' seize each additional meaningful opportunity!