Joy

Life Hack! Recognize the joy in moments today – don’t wait for Timehop effect.

You all the know the Facebook Timehop effect. You see a picture and memory from 10 years ago and what do you say? “Oh how I miss those days, look how cute, look how happy, look how fun!” Also this…how many of you have seen pictures of yourself from 10 years ago and said to yourself “I looked good! If I would have only known how good I looked 10 years ago (maybe 20 for me) I would have gone to the grocery store in my bikini.” Wouldn’t it be nice to appreciate it all in the moment and not have to feel sad (or not quite as sad) years later the moment is over?

Timehop is definitely a blessing and curse for me. I often forget how many memorable and wonderful things I have actually done with my family and friends. A picture comes up on time hop from 9 years ago and I sometimes forgot the day ever happened and didn’t realize how special it was at the time, but seeing the picture jogs my memory and I think to myself “oh what a great day that was”, “we had the best time that day!” I am a scrap booker, it’s like time hop too, I pull out those birthday books and think to myself, “man, I threw a great party!” but of course in the moment I was too stressed to appreciate it.

Now, how can I appreciate this summer with 2 boys home from college and another with senior attitude? I have been complaining for a month to family and friends that this summer with them is killing me, that I am not enjoying having them home, that I can’t wait for August!!! Wow, that sounds terrible!!!! While my husband has been sleeping soundly, I have spent my nights since summer break lying in bed at midnight waiting for them all to come home safe and sound and it has been a HUGE stressor for me, like major anxiety!!! I have convinced myself that I can’t go to sleep until they are all in their rooms with doors closed. Well, something happened last night. Last night my oldest (22) was in the living room watching a movie with a friend from high school and they were “arguing” about the ending. My middle child (almost 21) pulled up outside and I could hear his radio blaring music loudly. And my youngest (almost 18) came in from taking his girlfriend home whistling a random tune. It all hit me differently last night. For some reason, at that instant, I recognized the joy in each of these moments and realized I was going to miss this! THIS…being wide awake at midnight on a Thursday, hearing all my boys living and loving life. I smiled, took a deep breath, and thanked God for the moment and woke up this morning to write this blog.

So, my life hack or challenge is to stop, take a deep breath, and change your mindset. Time flies, kids grow, we get older, and there is always the last time you have an experience. Embrace each moment and find the joy in all the little things, because years will pass and when that moment shows up on Facebook Timehop, you can reminisce about how much you enjoyed it instead of wishing you would have appreciated it more. Recognize these precious moments now and thank God for your family and friends. I am going to work hard on this challenge moving forward and encourage you to do the same!