There are no ordinary moments

"There are no ordinary moments." ... I heard that statement in a movie called "Peaceful Warrior." That statement continues to remind me to slow down and savor each day, even the ones filled with stress and unpleasant tasks.

I also like the title of the movie. I strive to be peaceful within --- even though I am a warrior fighting the battles of depression, finances, family drama, maintaining a business, the battle of the bulge and the battle in my mind to remain optimistic in this changing economy.

I returned recently from a trip in Atlanta and was so blessed to stay with friends instead of a hotel. As I got out of the car in the driveway my ears were full of this noise in the air. "What is that noise Cheryl?" I asked. She responded, "What noise?" My city life in California was not accustomed to the country filled air of dense trees full of crickets and other noisy creatures that come out in the night.

Cheryl was so used to the evening orchestra of crickets. The noise was something she no longer heard or paid attention to.

I began to see how in life we become so accustomed to our environments (good or bad) that we become numb, oblivious and passive. We stop seeing the beauty. We take family, friends, health, safety, job and home for granted. There are no ordinary moments. What are you missing? Can you slow down and count your blessings?

Or think about this... have you become so accustomed to your pain and struggle, that you don't see a way out? Has suffering and stress become so natural to you that you don't realize that your life could be different? Has living every day with fear closed your ears of faith?

Cheryl laughed with me as she realized how it took an outsider to point out what she no longer heard. Sometimes we all need someone to come into our lives to help us see what we have become blind to or help us hear what we become deaf to hearing.

As a motivational speaker my goal is to inspire others to see and hear differently.

I try to walk as many times as possible in the mornings. Not only for the exercise, but I noticed when I walk I see, hear and think things that I miss while driving in a car. While walking I sense that there are no ordinary moments. I'm so grateful to be alive and aware. I am a peaceful warrior full of the awe, beauty and mystery of life. Our God is an awesome God and so worthy of our praise and thanksgiving. ~ Jewel Diamond Taylor, 07/24/08

http://www.donotgiveup.net/ http://www.prayitforwardtoday.com/