the ones that matter.

We all know how quickly 86,400 seconds can pass by. That's the number of seconds it takes to fill a single day. 24 hours. Most of the time, our repetitive routines, overflowing schedules, and countless commitments keep us preoccupied from that simple fact. Our lives are full of times of immense joy, and moments of overwhelming struggle. But time beats forward, not stopping for anyone or anything.

Sometimes we have an experience, big or small, where we suddenly begin see things so clearly. What we realize was probably there the whole time, but we just were too busy to recognize it until that particular moment. It's like suddenly our personal "tunnel vision" starts to subside, and a new perspective takes flight. That tunnel vision is often a direct result of the profound bustle of our daily lives where we are busy just trying to get by. We rarely can find even a moment in the day to stop and reflect on life lately.

Times, they are a{lways} changing. During times of significant change in our lives, it's easy to find yourself full of several emotions all at once; joy, relief, sadness, fear. Change is often associated with the word bittersweet. It's leaving something behind so that something new can take flight. And it is during those moments of uncertainty; those moments where we stand face-to-face with the unknown, that we search for something familiar to hold onto. More often than not, we can find the greatest comfort during those times through other people.

Our friends, family, and significant others. Our children, mentors, and even our pets. The ones we trust the most. The ones that take care of us when we're unwell. The ones that support us through the highs and lows. The ones that race to our sides when we need help. The ones that laugh and smile with us during times of joy. The ones that give the biggest hugs and always seem to know the right thing to say. The ones that provide us with that last bit of strength to overcome any obstacle. We see them regularly, and talk to them often. They're the first people we call to share exciting news. The people we confide our deepest secrets in.

Those are the ones that matter the most.

I recently stumbled upon a greeting card that hit me like a ton of bricks. It was one of those moments where my tunnel vision ceased and suddenly it all became very clear.

The card message read:

And with that, I think we can all think of someone that's overdue for a thank you.

time away.

Why is it that distance makes the heart grow fonder? Why does it take having a void where something once was to recognize the importance of what filled it before? Why do we struggle to appreciate people while they are actually present?

On Tuesday, I returned from spending 6 days in Virginia; away from my job, my home, and my relationships. It was an opportunity to be near my mother, a new exciting location, and the freedom from my usual responsibilities. I very much enjoyed my time away, but I was ready to board my flight home when the time came. Was I ready because I wanted to go back to working 50+ hours a week? Was I ready because I wanted to get back to cleaning my house, doing laundry, and my other usual household tasks? Was I ready to get back to my jam packed schedule? Could it be that I was actually missing my typical and crazy daily routine? Actually...it was.

When it all comes down to it, it was the most basic of things I was ready to get back to. My usual diet. My running routine. My great big comfy bed. My kitchen. My bedtime. My significant relationships. The craziest part about having temporary space is recognizing that it's the simple things that tend to fill us up.

Time away teaches us to (re)appreciate our daily routine. When we are stuck in my same old rhythm for days on end, we grow bored and annoyed with the trials and tribulations of everyday life. But when our routine is broken, it is then we become acquainted with what's really valuable to us. We have that sense of "missing" and "void."

Don't let it take time away to appreciate the life you have. Don't require separation to realize what wonderful relationships and friendships you hold. We are all guilty of falling into routines and habits that blind us to how good we have it. Make it a habit to ponder what life would be like without all the things that fill our lives today. Force yourself to express gratitude towards both the good and the bad in life. The good is what makes our lives rewarding. The bad is what makes us stronger. And it's the people that stick by us through both that are what make our lives meaningful. Say thank you, appreciate the little things, and go through your day with the knowledge that it doesn't have to take time away to recognize how blessed we truly are.

it's the little things.

As much as the holiday season can be full of cheer, the change in seasons can take a serious toll on your emotional well being and outlook on life. The excerpt below gives you a little insight into what life in Vermont is like for me during the winter and early spring- those average low's are no joke. Just looking at what's coming down the pipeline for me come January is giving me the blues- as it seems to every year!

Regardless of where you are currently calling "home", it's easy to let things like the weather conditions or boring routines get the best of us. Whether it feels like the same old workout, same old 9-to-5, same old dark-when-I-go-to-work-and-dark-when-I-get-out-of-work, same old dreary rainy day, same old hairstyle, same old clothes in your closet, same old Friday night, and same old weeknight meals, it's easy to lose sight of all those little things that make life exciting and meaningful. We get frustrated with the sameness that every day or week brings, and slip into the habit of under-appreciating all we have. Let us all take a moment to reflect on all those little things that help power us through our weekly blues. Maybe it's that warm fuzzy fleece blanket that is always waiting for you when you get home from a long day at the office. Maybe it's your weekly trip to Starbucks. Maybe it's one of those emails or letters from someone unexpected. Maybe it's a phone call to a long distance friend. Eating Leftovers. A lunch date at a new restaurant. A weekend away. A 10-hour slumber. A early morning run...in the rain. The little boy in the park taking his first steps. Baking cookies for your coworkers. A new book from the library. Praise for your hard work. Donating to a good cause. An answered prayer from God. Laying in bed with your work clothes still on. A text from a friend. Playing Monopoly...and losing, miserably. A big juicy cheeseburger. A kiss goodnight.

Whatever life throws at you, remember there is always something to be grateful for. Do not wish these days away hoping for something newer or better. Remember that the things that end up meaning the most in the long run are those little things we fail to appreciate each and everyday. So do yourself a favor, and start pointing them out to yourself. Living life in that manner will teach you to appreciate those "same olds." Yes, even those boring workouts, long days at the office, daylight deprivation, the hours on end of rain, the bad hair days, the same wardrobe you've had since the 9th grade, another Friday night on the couch, and yes, even when it's chicken for dinner again.

 (For more "little things," check out this website)

"there is a saying that goes...

...you don't know what you have until it's gone. The truth is, you already knew what you had, you just never thought you would lose it."

I heard this quote today and really felt the need to pass it on. Take a moment to consider how good you have it at this very moment- do you have a roof over your head? food on the table? running water? gas for your car? a family? friends? a significant other? a paycheck? How easy it is to forget what a luxury having most of these things truly is. In the wake of Hurricane Irene, the media has exposed people to the destruction that a natural disaster can cause. In 13 days, Americans will remember how many lives were lost on that tragic day in September 2001. I was reminded how precious life was when I woke up on Sunday to news that a friends' brother had been stabbed in the stomach in New Hampshire, escaping a sure death by literally centimeters. We all go through life sweating the small stuff- worrying about a bad hair day, burning dinner, thinking you look 10 pounds heavier after skipping the gym, getting in a tiff with our significant other, getting reprimanded at work, giving the customer service rep attitude because your cell phone service was down for 30 minutes, eating that second brownie, or yelling at your mom for trying to set you up on a date. The truth is, we have entirely more to be thankful about than we do to be complaining about. Unfortunately we don't always realize just how much we have until it's not there anymore- whether it's a something like losing a job, a house, or car insurance coverage; or if it's losing a living thing such as a boyfriend, a close friend, a family pet, or a grandparent. Things can usually be replaced, unless they are those few truly priceless items, but people cannot be replaced. Whether lost for the time being, or lost permanently, individual people are one of a kind. I don't need to remind you just how incredibly influential someone can be in your life, because we've all met someone that we can give credit to for turning us into the person we are today. The most tragic part of losing someone you care about is feeling like you never got the chance to say what you wanted to. Sometimes we don't know how we feel about something until it has already disappeared from our lives, and that's the part that can be hardest. Emotions are hard enough to break down into bite-sized clear thoughts, let alone actual words. What I press you to do today is recognize the great people and things you have in your life, and to give thanks. Be grateful for the people who do and say things "because they care"- even if they say things you don't necessarily want to hear. Even for the little things we need to say thank you; because at the end of the day, those are the tiny blessings that are capable of making the biggest impact. Skip one of your usual Monday night television shows to call an old friend, or take a day trip to see an elderly family member. It's the relationships we develop that make life meaningful- so don't let any of those unforgettable people in your life forget how much they mean to you because tomorrow is guaranteed to no one.