Unexpected Peace

You know that quote "stop and smell the roses"? I had a moment like that this morning. I was making myself some coffee (well actually, I was pouring myself a cup of International Delight's Iced Coffee-yum) and I just completely stopped because I heard the birds singing outside my window. It amazed me so much because I stand at that spot in my kitchen every morning and fix my coffee and I had never noticed the bird's singing before. I've lived in my apartment for about 5 months now and not once had heard them. I doubt that they just started it up today! They've been sounding that lovely every morning and I just didn't stop to listen.


(Looking out my window this morning.)

Here's the thing. In the morning when I am fixing my coffee, I have a gazillion thoughts running though my head. "Oh my gosh, I only have 3 minutes before I need to leave." "I can't be tardy at this class again!" "Will I have time to go put on some mascara?" "It's going to be so cold outside." My own thoughts drown out the birds I guess. But this Saturday morning was different. Instead of forcing myself out of bed at 7:30 in the morning to get ready for class, I was able to lay in bed until 11 am. It was wonderful.

I'm the type of person that almost always has music or the tv on in the background. When I sat down on my couch this morning, I almost turned on Spotify to listen to something and then I decided not to. I mean, the birds sound pretty amazing. There's something about taking some time out to be still and just listen to the birds chirping outside. That's what I'm doing right now. I can hear the clicking of my typing on my laptop, the birds singing and the road noise from the busy street that I live off of. Paying attention to those things is so peaceful.

I often hear people talk about having a quiet time with God. I really struggle to do that because I am so easily distracted. How could I not be distracted though, with almost constantly having the tv going and the music blaring? I think I need to learn to be at peace with being still and quiet once in a while. That's why I love going to my yoga classes so much-because it's so relaxing.

So often, it's the little things in life that stop me dead in my tracks. A beautiful sunset that paints the sky a spectrum of colors, the gentle breeze blowing through my hair, bright colored flowers growing along a highway. You don't always need to do something big to experience joy. Joy can be found in the most simple or unlikely places if you only stop and notice it.


(A photo I took of the sunset on campus a few days ago)