This past Thursday night, we did what we do every Halloween. We turned on the porch light and participated in the national candy distribution event. (Because when we were the parents trudging along with our little trick-or-treater, we hated the dark houses.)
We were visited by everything from little mermaids to ninjas to monkeys. One kid cuter than the next. But what was even more impressive than the cuteness was how polite and open most of the kids were.
For example, several of the kids commented on how nice our house was:
Last couple of trick-or-treaters: “We’ve decided we like your house.” Sweet! #halloween2013 #cutekids
— Tabita Green (@tabitag) October 31, 2013
But more importantly than making us feel good, these kids reminded us to appreciate our home. I looked around and noticed the amazing woodwork for the first time in a while. I walked into the kitchen and took a minute to appreciate its spaciousness and well-designed cabinets. They even sparked a conversation between me and my husband about how blessed we are to have such an awesome house.
Of course, appreciation doesn’t just apply to material things. It also applies to the people in our lives and the opportunities we have. I appreciate my husband for his dedication to his students and for his humor. I appreciate my daughter for caring about things that matter. I appreciate that I have a great job at an amazing college—even on the days when I’d rather stay home and write all day… (Bonus: We get free yoga classes twice a week!!)
Tonight, I concluded a four-week discussion group on the book The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. In a section of the sixth chapter called “The Initiation of the Dead: Embracing the Angel of Death,” the author talks about living every day as if it was your last—and being completely open:
And of course I treat people I love with love because this may be the last day that I can tell you how much I love you. I don’t know if I am going to see you again, so I don’t want to fight with you.
Easier said than done, right? But what an amazing way to live and be. Fully appreciating the people around you—and actually letting them know it!
I think as we get older, we take more things for granted and forget to appreciate all that’s good in our lives. Thank goodness kids are around to remind us!
What about you? What do you appreciate?
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