The Simple Things

A poet once wrote, "You must love life to live life." I never really understood what that meant until we did an exercise in English in which the class had to come up with 10 little things, simple things, which we enjoy in our lives. As everyone came up with ideas like showering, brushing their teeth, and relaxing at their cabins, I realized that we all too often overlook the smallest, most pleasurable things in life. How long has it been since you watched the sunrise or set? How long has it been since you last sat around a bonfire with your closest friends and just stared up into the stars or down into the fire and talked about life? When was the last time you wondered why sunsets are so beautiful or why the sky is blue and then got a good chuckle at your younger sibling or neighbor’s perspective? When was the last time you rocked out in your car, regardless of the looks you might receive? How often do you tell your friends and family that you appreciate them, love them? If you are anything like me, the answers to those questions is something along the lines of “not nearly as recently as I’d like.” Don’t you ever feel like you are missing many of the moments that are supposed to define life?After that little exercise, I decided I need another goal in life: to attempt to slow down time, slow down life itself during those little moments that make or break how you end up defining your life. You may say it’s not possible but I would be willing to make a bet. If you do any of those things I mentioned or whatever you consider your own “simple thing” and you don’t have a greater appreciation for life, I will retract everything I just said and make a public announcement that you are right and the little things don’t matter.So take the time to slow down and attempt to appreciate the small things so that when you’re on your deathbed, looking back on your life, you don’t simply say “Well, I survived x number of years, but I wish…” but rather you can say, “You know what? I’ve lived x number of years and I loved every minute of it.”

Dedicated to:Mr. Lundstrom
Abbi, Michael, Taylor, Katie, Kelsey, Courtney, Kyle, Bridgett, and everyone else who helps me appreciate the simple things in my life.
Thank you all.

3-17-2008

© 2007-2008 Jacob Tauer
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