Insight from a Bubble

What is the magic in that soapy water that causes people of all ages to be amazed by the bubble? I definitely don't understand it, but it's undeniable that Kate LOVES the bubbles! From the first time she saw a bubble up close, to being able to make bubbles using large objects you wave in the air, to now being able to blow gently through the bubble wand on her own, her relationship with the bubble has definitely grown over these past two years. Even though her bubble skills have grown through the zillions of times she's been around bubbles in her two year old life, it's unbelievable to see how amazed and awestruck she still is when she sees those iridescent spheres floating through the air. It doesn't matter how often she sees bubbles, each new time seems like the first -- she's so filled with wonder and joy!

Thinking about Kate's bubble appreciation makes me realize there are definitely two very distinct categories in my life: the bubble stuff and the non-bubble stuff. Things like watching Kate learn something new, snow falling and newborn babies are definitely in my bubble category -- each time I see those sorts of things I look with fresh eyes, wonder, and genuine happiness. But I realize this morning that sadly most of the things in my life have been relegated to the non-bubble area -- they are things I don't really take time to see anymore because I mistakenly assume they're just the way they've always been, and I fail to be impressed with even impressive things just because they have grown so familiar to me. There are so many things in my non-bubble catagory that don't belong there.

What a sad way to live my life! Today I'm going to make a conscious effort to look at my world the way Kate looks at those bubbles. Each day I have is such a gift and not something to be taken for granted the way I've slipped into doing. I want to try to enjoy every ounce of each day possible and find ways to appreciate even the mundane, day in & day out things. While that sounds wonderful, it also sounds like a lot of effort... but I imagine if I can really find a way to live that way the benefits of that sort of joy and contentment would heavily outweigh the cost of the work required to get there. It's at least worth a shot!