Monday, May 13, 2013

the value of small things


I woke up today feeling miserable. My anxiety was back and all I wanted to do was hide under my blanket. I asked my husband if I could be a "trophy wife" but he told me no hehehehe

And then, my best friend from my college days sends me this text: "Peanut hugged me for the first time yesterday! She hugged me!!! I've been waiting forever for that!" Now, I mentioned Peanut here before, that little angel who defied doctors' prognosis and is alive. But this text reminded me all the things in life I take for granted. This is a mother who did not know if her daughter was going to be a vegetable or die. This is a mother who has been waiting 2 and 1/2 years to be hugged by her daughter.


It all became clear. My people pleasing, my over achieving personality, my anxiety... senseless, because what really matters in life are the small miracles, the small moments that make being human the superb experience. Like the little piece of love, I received in the mail from Diane's giveaway. The smile on my dogs' face when I come home. The look of deep trust and devotion I see in my husband's eyes. The growing pain of learning to love my parents for who they are. The insane, unconditional love I feel for my brother. The people who help you without ever expecting anything in return. And a hug from a child we did not even know was going to survive to see her mom's smile.

"For each dark night
       There is a sunrise
       And, in the small-big adventure 
       of being born, exist, and die, 
       how many life lessons that while alive, I must learn."~Roque Schneider

44 comments:

turquoisemoon said...

Ohhh...this was so nice to read. These things need to be remembered often. Thank you for sharing this.

Anonymous said...

I know that anxiety is a terrible thing. It is dibilitating at times. These small reminders of life outside ourselves are wonderful and heartfelt...what a gift! Also, what a cute bracelet!
xxxo
Lynn

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

It's always nice to celebrate the small things in life! I'm glad you liked your little pressie. I just knew you needed one of the bracelets I've been making. It looks beautiful on your wrist! (you can move the button over if you want it a little tighter) Sweet hugs my friend!

Debra She Who Seeks said...

It can be a great relief to simply let go and just BE.

❀~Myrna~❀ said...

Wonderful Post! Congrats on your giveaway win !

Fundy Blue said...

Hi Ana! How wonderful that your friend's Peanut hugged her! Thank you for sharing your insights. I have an insane, unconditional love for my brother too!

Kristin_Texas said...

Yes, a beautiful post and a great reminder to us all.

It's like that Winnie-the-Pooh quote: "Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."

Kristin

Unknown said...

Another miracle of life. We must learn to fully apreciate.

Ola said...

lovely with the shell!
Blog about life and travelling
Blog about cooking

foxysue said...

Thank you for touching my heart today by your soft words of comfort, the small treasures of life.

Soul Hugs x

Vision By Mila said...

It's always the small things that count in life, we're just too busy to realize that I guess.. or something bad needs to happen to open our eyes..

Jess said...

Thankyou for voicing how I feel about life, it's so easy to imagine we're the only ones with anxiety and look at people around us who seem to have their life sussed. It's doubtful they all do and this is a lovely reminder of that.
Wonderful news about your friend!:) xx

Sara said...

I know what you mean. I haven't been having nice times myself, and I believe you, getting out of bed is getting harder by the day. But, nice things do happen. there is a japanese saying "Yokubari na mainichi" it means "finding little happiness in daily life". I guess this is what we must do in order to keep ourselves alive. And in any case, I am sure that if you don't find happiness, eventually happiness will find you. Have a great day sweety*

Kathryn Zbrzezny said...

Just beautiful, Ana. Touching and honest. Miracles...I will pray for Peanut and her mom. I wish peace for you. You and I both are dealing with anxiety...ah, we diligent, responsible Capricorns!

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh Ana I think we all need reminders of those most important things in life and not wallow in our own fears. This is a beautiful story and I am sending you hugs my friend. HUGS B

Optimistic Existentialist said...

Isn't it something how a random text or message from a friend can completely change the way we look at things?

Kyra Wilson said...

I try and focus on the good little things too. Usually it works, but sometimes it just doesn't make a dent (like this week *sigh*)

alteredstatesstudio said...

all in the details....the small miracles that remind us of what life is all about.

and now think of all who will be touched by this- one small hug from a child, (a miracle from the sounds of it....) to their mom.

thanks so much for sharing.

Sherri B. said...

It truly is the little things...what a beautiful post. I relate so much to the anxiety - it's my biggest challenge on this earth. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Ana - I'm glad you're feeling better. Beautiful photos!

CraveCute said...

You are so right, it's the small things we should appreciate.

Christine Altmiller said...

those of us who keep our heart and eyes and ears open receive that gentle reminder when we need it most :-)

Almost Precious said...

Sometimes we become so engrossed in the trivial things that we forget the most important things in life. Thank you for focusing a spotlight on this. We all need to be reminded as we do have a tendency to immerse ourselves in life's none essential dilemmas and forget. . . time after time we let it slip our minds. :)

Tammie Lee said...

thank you for this beautifully expressed post. it is so valuable to remember what is truly important in life.
the bracelet is lovely on you ~

JaneA said...

This is really beautiful, and thanks so much for sharing the lovely quote. I'm going to copy it down and put it on my studio wall inspiration board. I just found your blog, and I'm definitely an introvert! Thanks so much for sharing!

Dra. Cristiane Grande Jimenez Marino said...

Que lindo post Ana, que bom que você estava aberta para a mensagem que a vida te enviou naquele momento...isto mudou totalmente sua perspectiva.
Bjs

Jeanie said...

Ana, I am having a day similar to the one you describe, probably one of many to come. How eloquently you put this is order with such grace, reminding us that even when we are challenged, someone -- many someones -- will have experienced ones that are harder and with good fortune, the small miracles and large that Diane has. It doesn't make our own issues less. But it does put them into perspective. Thank you. I hope you are feeling better soon.

Anonymous said...

When I feel depressed and anxious, I always stop and count my blessings. No one said life is perfect. It's what we do with it that counts.

Plowing Through Life (Martha) said...

You are so in touch with your inner self, Ana, and you should be proud of that. Most people don't understand how they feel, or why they feel that way. But you do. And that helps you to grow and move forward. Don't be too hard on yourself. We all have these moments, and then something comes along to snap us out of it and remind us about the simple and beautiful things in our lives. Like the miracle of Peanut. What could be more beautiful and uplifting than that? It does my heart good to know about this little angel.

Shaharoh said...

I am beyond words for your friend's daughter embrace. That is beautiful and I thank you for sharing that in this blog post.

Perspective is everything and it is sooo hard to remember it from day to day and when we do, the beauty surrounds us. It is seeing a life between living, as I like to call it. xoxo, Introvert!

kala said...

Lovely post :)

Annette said...

Hello my dear as always love what you write and the shell bracelet I know made your day as you opened it. Hugs and hugs xoxoxoxoox

Arkansas Patti said...

Well done and a reminder we all need. You do have so much to be grateful for but then if we think about it, we all do.

Riot Kitty said...

Thank you for sharing that sweet story...anxiety is its own animal though. Chemical, don't blame yourself :)

Magic Love Crow said...

This is a very powerful and wonderful post! I was crying happy tears for Peanut hugging her mom ;o) Hugs ;o)

Šolanje na domu-Waldorf said...

I agree completely. :) The most important thing is to notice the now and be grateful.

Caffeine Girl said...

You are so right. It's not like we don't know this, but it's hard to remember in the rush of everyday life!

Palomasea said...

Another touching and insightful post, dear Ana...
I can empathize with you...anxiety has been my companion for many years.
Indeed, gratitude is a savior. The small moments...yes, thank you.
Prayers to your dear friend and her precious girl.

Thank you for such lovely words on the Mother post...
May you have sunshine today :))
Blessings,
- Irina

The Dancing Crone said...

Hi Ana, I was actually here the other day and then the phone rang and I had to get going on so other stuff. Nice to get back here and think about he little things and how important and uplifting it is when we take note of them. :)

AntiquityTravelers said...

what a post Ana, makes me stop and think. I have made choices in my life that are purely based on family, family in the broad sense of it. The people you live with, the people you care about, the people you know you'd drop anything to make sure they were alright. Those are the things that matter. The first hug from a child, your child. Well now, I can not think of much in my life that has meant more.

BIKBIK AND RORO said...

Such an honest, insightful post. Yes, let's not "despise the day of small things". The fact is, most of us are way more blessed than we realise; oftentimes we take our blessings for granted, and yet every single day we are surrounded by good things, wonderful things. We really need to consciously train our minds to think right, to focus on the positive. I remember reading somewhere that more than 90% of the things we fear never happen -- let's not waste our lives on vague, fearful imaginings.

Zena said...

Thanks Ana, such a beautiful post. I was needing to read this today... I can relate so much to your thoughts, I often have also that sensation, but those "little moments" that I experience in my everyday life always rescue me

Lisa Graham said...

Thank you for the reminder of the things that are important. I am not sure why I forget so often. Hugs.

R's Rue said...

Beautiful!
www.rsrue.blogspot.com

Willow said...

Lovely post . I also have to mention your photo of the card "Welcome to Ocala " took me back to a a simpler time in my younger days, years ago when I worked at a lovely horse stable near there .