We live in an age where happiness is forgotten and life seems mundane. There’s so much in the world that’s fantastic, but more often than not there are things that most pass by without a second glance. Some would expect me to come in here and talk about a cute craft to make and set up as a reminder that every day is beautiful, and I could; however, I want to talk about something else. Everyone, yes everyone, can make life beautiful by doing one simple thing: looking for the small.

Over the generations we’ve grown complacent with the idea of having everything in an instant, losing the art of patience more and more. Everything we could ever desire is right at our fingertips providing express delivery and movies set up online, just a couple clicks away. With everything being readily available it’s hard for some to recognize what’s around them, especially if it’s not something that immediately interests them and keeps their attention. The thing is, it’s what you have to focus on that usually has the most interesting aspects and truly adds a fresh spark to life. Even the darkest moments have light hidden within. However, it can be shrouded by so much darkness that barely a glimmer can be seen, easily missed if we’re not looking for it.

Finding that glimmer trapped within the dark sounds daunting if you’re not sure what to look for, but I’m here to assure you that it’s not as hard as it sounds. It just takes practice. My blinds are open every day whether rain or shine, especially during rainy days. However, during the sunny ones I have them open to take in the sun while I work. Birdsong and gentle breezes are easily overlooked but by taking the time to hear and feel what’s around you, you truly start to look for everything else that may be nearby.

Just like how I was outside the other day and I stopped outside my door realizing something was growing outside that I had never once stopped to consider before. My door has a few stepping stones leading to it and between a few of the stones are patches of moss that stretch up like miniature trees. When I first noticed it, I remember sitting on the stones to stare and letting the writer side of my brain run loose, imagining I was a small ant and how cool it would be to wander through the tiny woods. Or on rainy days I make a cup of tea, sit near my window, listen to the rain, and read or write. Using it as white noise, or watching the air and plants change colors from the weather, is so amazing that more often than not I spend too much time marveling at how water and dust can affect the colors around us.

Another thing I’ve found that helps is just being. What does that mean? Maybe you’re visiting family or friends, spending time with your own family, but finding those small moments with them that stick out. Like that one time your family member was too scared to open the croissant can and kept smacking it on the counter forgetting that they had to unwrap the paper to let it pop open. Or maybe that time someone went to grab a dish and accidentally dropped another causing it to shatter straight in the stuffing they’d just finished. Although rough in the moment, we end up remembering these things for years after, talking and laughing about it with one another. These moments can happen at any time, any place. You never know what’s going to cause it. By just being, and being present, you’re setting yourself up for amazing moments to be created.

Even when you’re not with family or friends, take some time to yourself. Make something bad on purpose. You’re not always going to be good at something and having the expectation that everything you create is going to be perfect just sets you up for failure. Have some fun! Write some bad poetry, doodle random things, crochet a stick! It doesn’t matter. When you create bad art or watch a cheesy movie, it’s far more relaxing than trying to constantly burn yourself out by being the best you that you can be. It even helps you seek out quality later on whether in a dark moment or not.

It always feels like making life beautiful is a challenge that can only be done on specific times and dates or takes a whole lot of effort you may not be willing to put in at that moment, but it’s so much easier if you simplify what to look for. Look for it in the sun, the rain. Look for it in nature and art, good or bad, in your family and friends. There’s so much out there just waiting for us to notice, but we actually have to take the time to uncover what we normally push aside. Live a boring life or live that extra exciting one. But, no matter what, live. Do what you want that glorifies God, or honors his creations, to remind yourself that life is beautiful no matter what’s happening. All we have to do is look for the light.

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