Pause, and Take Notice

As I’m walking through my yarden in the late afternoon, the sun slants through the trees in golden rays making dappled patterns on the lawn. I stop, I take a deep breath, and I appreciate the beauty that is right out my back door. For a few moments, I revel in it
There are beauty and richness woven throughout my days and nights. They’re there whether I take notice or not. 
I want beauty and richness, so I choose to look for it. One way I find it is through taking photos. Looking through the lens, whether it’s my phone or my camera, helps me see the captivating views all around me. 
Plan old spending time outside, and pausing to look around helps me to see what’s always in front of me.
People are always doing fun, lovely things. They are also still doing crappy stuff. What I focus on is my choice. 
I ask myself, “What’s beautiful right now?”
Rarely does joy sweep over me and swell my heart. It has happened, and those moments stand out as singular in my life. More often, I have to prompt myself- How do I feel right now? Hum, pretty good. Actually, the temperature is perfect, and I’m comfortable on my couch writing, the birds are singing, my coffee is just the way I like it. My husband is sleeping peacefully. Yeah! I know soon I go out to the garden and see what has changed since last night. Yeah! Now that I think of it, life is rather fantastic right now. 
 Notice and appreciation are just one step from gratitude. Having realized that life is rather fantastic right now, I shoot a mental THANK YOU out to the Gods. The gratitude is for the magnificent earth, for helping me to pause and notice it, for another day, for Yeah!
Admiration for the wonders all around.