Motivation Monday: "It's the little things"

So many times as Mother's and homemakers we look for the big things to be the "changers" and "chargers" of our energy, strength, and endurance. Today, I want to encourage you to stop living only for the BIG things in life, and embrace those little moments! The moments that seem like nothing ~ but really have the momentum and ability to change a life! Let me set the pace a bit, and see if I can share my vision for us all this week in looking to the little things and being able to embrace them.

Here we are, in the dead center of Summer. In the next few weeks we will all be gearing up getting our children and homes ready for the start of a new school year. Then it will be Friday night football games, weekend football/fall ball baseball/volleyball tournaments to keep us hoppin on Saturday, and then Sunday to prepare it all again. Just in time to get geared up for Thanksgiving and Christmas. By the end of October, we will all be looking back a bit and think Wow! I should have taken advantage of the quiet moments in the Summer. I know, because I do this every single year. I am determined NOT to do it this year.

As I sit here and type, I have already enjoyed my morning coffee, had a shower, gone to the grocery store, unloaded and put away groceries, ate breakfast, and its barely 9 am. OH. I also have one load of clothes that needs to be transferred from washer to dryer so I can continue completing the laundry before noon. Simply put, I could have rushed from one thing to another but can I say this I have enjoyed every moment I have had today? There is something enjoyable about a productive day that gives us a very different view on the "crazy" days where it feels like we work in circles and never get anything done. Some days, I implement a "To Do" list where I list the things that I want to get accomplished that day. This is very helpful when I find myself getting in a funk because nothing is getting done and I feel not so productive. There are times when the "to do" list takes over, and instead I must begin to NOT used it, but instead write a 'Ta Da' list ~ that lists all the things I DID get accomplished to show myself that I can indeed be productive AND reflective without getting all worked  up. A lot of it depends on my mood, where I am at in my cycle, the weather, if my husband is home, our schedule for the week (did we over schedule too many get together's leaving not a lot of time for balance). Same as anyone I am sure. But I left out one thing!

When I take the time to be thankful for these moments ~ the little moments, I find great satisfaction even if the "list" isn't complete or we were gone away from the house all day. When I take time to realize how easy my life really is, I can see through the difficult moments because I know they don't last. When I take time and praise God for the little things ~ He blesses me in those little things, as well as the big.

I am learning when life feels so overwhelming it is too often that I am focused too much on the big things of life (that I often have no control over, or could do anything about) and not realizing what I am missing out on by not seeing the little things! It truly is the little things that grab our heart for what matters most. Just as a candle lit in a dim room brings a warm glow to the atmosphere, seeing the little things for more then you usually do helps you become more appreciative and the big things do not seem so overwhelming.

So my challenge to you this week is to become aware of the little things. Embrace them. Make a big deal about them. Realize there are more little moments in your day then big ones. Then, and only then align your priorities around what really matters.

¹ You have searched me, Lord,
    and you know me.
² You know when I sit and when I rise;
    you perceive my thoughts from afar.
³ You discern my going out and my lying down;
    you are familiar with all my ways. Psalm 139:1-3 NIV

Amazing really. If we would realize that if we would search for GOD in the little things, we too would know HIM and HIS ways, but ... they can't be found easily. Unless, your in a daily habit of looking for HIM in the little things. Are you up for this challenge?! Would love to hear how your week goes if you indeed accept it.