One of the things I have been learning to do is appreciate the small things I do have.  That can make a huge difference in both mood and attitude.   Sometimes the hardest thing to do when you are faced with the downside of life is to stop and remember those good things no matter how small.

I’ll start with something that may sound incredibly small but it means something huge.  It is something so small and so quick if I don’t actually take the time to stop and savor it, I may not even remember it.  There are unfortunately days that I do.  So what is this small thing?  That’s easy, it’s a hug.

One of the things that is unfortunate as we age is that love begins to have strings.  There are other motives many times to the words, “I love you”, and there are other wants and desires other than the expression of unconditional love.  If you are married, then you are probably familiar with this phrase, “I love you, can you….?”  Truth is your spouse loves you but added a string to that expression.

Are you a parent?  Well as your kids get older, and learn to express their own desires and the complexities of human relationships it’s the same thing.  You may get the “Dad, You’re awesome”, but it can be followed by another request.

Now that may sound cynical, but if you stop to think about it, how often do you do it?  My guess is more than you’d admit.

One of my most favorite times of the day is my few moments when I walk in the door after being at work all day.  Those few minutes before the chaos of family and life set in, and brings me back to the reality that is similar to many households, especially those with children.

I walk in, and within seconds hear the sound of running.  It’s the sound of an active happy 19 month old running towards me from wherever he might have been when I walked in the door. The running culminates in an arms outstretched charge straight at me.  My leg gets a hug, and the arms reach up to be brought to face level. 

Once I pick him up I get another hug and a head on my shoulder and a simple “hi”.  From there he is back off to whatever trouble he was into before I came in.

No requests, no agenda, only one motive.  To express love in a simple fashion, and make sure I know how glad he is to see me, and that I am home.  And in those few minutes, everything in the world is perfect.

How often do you express love in a pure and unmotivated fashion?  I know I should do it more often.

~Build Tomorrow.