“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” –Robert Brault
Something I enjoy doing is taking a walk on the trail that is near my home. It goes around a small lake and is about a two and a half mile walk. I took that walk this afternoon, and shortly after I started out a light snow began to fall. It was very pretty and peaceful.
I can usually fit in taking this walk around the lake two or three times a week. In addition to walking being a way to help maintain my health, I enjoy being outside, breathing in the fresh air, seeing the lake and trees and sky, and also seeing whatever animals might appear. There were a lot of Canadian geese on the lake as well as some flying overhead. I thought about how those on the lake are probably making a stop before heading south again. I also saw some squirrels and a rabbit today.
Often when I’m taking a walk, I find myself giving thanks for my ability to do this. When we are healthy, it can be easy to take for granted our ability to do many of the things we routinely do each day—including being able to walk. I recently met a young woman who cannot walk and has needed to use a wheelchair since early childhood. She has adapted well and I’m impressed with all she does despite that limitation. I hope if I ever lose the ability to walk, I will accept that and adapt to it also. But seeing her reminds me of one of the many things for which I am thankful.
It also brings to mind the quotation by writer Robert Brault which I put at the beginning of this post. His reminder to “enjoy the little things” applies to a great many aspects of each of our lives. Each of us should take a few minutes every day to think about and say a prayer of thanksgiving for the many abilities we have been given.