My New August's Resolution

At 10:50PM yesterday night I walked out my back door into the perfect night air. I plugged in my ipod and was greeted by the soulful voice of Mat Kearney as I started the engine of my car. While driving, I realized just how much I love driving on summer nights with my music up and my windows down. I also realized how many simple things I love that I completely overlook and take for granted every single day. I resolved that tomorrow (or today rather) I would savor those simple things, that I would take note of them.

But today has done it's best to ruin that resolution. The slight ache in the back of my throat last night turned into a full fledged and raging sore throat this morning. Sick, overly tired and peeling from two days of sunburns, my patchy and angry skin took up much of my attention and frustration. I spent the morning trying to sleep off this sudden cold, stressing over my needing to go back to work tomorrow and wallowing in my post-vacation blues.

While I was standing in front of the mirror for what seemed like the millionth time, peeling off yet another section of flaking skin, I remembered my resolution. I took a deep breath amidst my messy bathroom, thought back on my night drive and mentally began making a list of the simple, beautiful things that I took for granted today:

• I spent the morning writing notes to a few of my young women. Wishing them a fun filled week at OakCrest and reminding them of their Heavenly Father's love for them and my own. I'm afraid I don't spend enough time telling others (or myself) that they are amazing, children of God and that they are ever loved. It's a simple thought that seems to get lost in my brain crowded with decision confusion and impatience.
• My wonderful husband. He is truly the best thing that ever happened to me and I am thankful to have found him and to be building a life with him. Tomorrow is the 4th anniversary of our very first date. What a life changer that date turned out to be.
• The half-full bottle of diet coke that happened to be in my fridge. Discovering that bottle was truly a day boosting moment.
• My family. Yes, today was a pretty unfun, overall awful day but I just spent 4 amazing days in Bear Lake with the Free family clan. If one awful day is equal to 4 great ones those are not bad odds.

I need to make savoring the simple moments a habit or else life is going to pass me by and leave me with nothing but memories of gray skies and post vacation blues. I am a completely impatient person. Always trying to run for the next big event life has in store. Continually looking for our next house, a new job, trying to talk baby names with Brandon (even though kids are still at least 2 years away),planning the celebration cruise we'll take in 3ish years when Brandon officially graduates with his bachelors... I am terrible at living in the now. So this is my New August's Resolution: I will savor simple. I will enjoy the now.

Here we go....