With the mid-semester lull in full effect, I often catch myself falling into the same old routine. I notice myself floating from task to task, not exactly mindlessly, but not exactly presently either. Don’t get me wrong, there is absolutely nothing wrong with routine! It provides us with a sense of comfort in this hectic world, and offers structure when things seem messy. But perhaps we must practice routine in moderation. It’s usually around this time of the semester that I must remind myself of this. Being mindful has always been a challenging concept for me to grasp. I often find myself looking so far into the future that I forget to appreciate the beautiful, present moment. Despite what it seems, this is no easy task. As busy, task-oriented college students, the present moment is a challenging concept. We are in a constant state of motion – juggling assignments, preparing for exams, maintaining a social life, all the while caring for our physical and mental well-being the best that we can. We are designed to function one step ahead. Graduate college, get your degree, find a job. We become so fixated on the future, that we seldom stop to appreciate where we are now. This has recently become much more important to me in my own life, and I thought it would be worthwhile to share.
I’ve recently come to recognize the importance of the current moment more than I ever have before. In doing so, I already notice a shift in my perspective. Perhaps the saying is true, that we truly do not know what we have until it’s gone. The people and things we love so very dearly can be taken from us in an instant. It’s for this very reason that showing gratitude and genuine appreciation for the people around you is all the more important, now more than ever. I am surrounded by the beautiful faces of my loving family and friends, yet I sometimes fail to express my true gratitude for them. In fact, these same people are such a constant in my life, that I don’t always stop to think about how insanely lucky I am to be surrounded by such incredible people. So let this serve as a reminder to express your love to the people you care about while you can. Tell them what they truly mean to you, and take the time to be in their presence. Never take for granted the time spent with loved ones, as this time is so very precious.
I’ve recently begun to stress the small stuff. Every small moment, every little victory, every seemingly insignificant accomplishment. We often overlook these small moments, perhaps because we assume there will be more. I’ve come to learn the importance of appreciating the small victories, and the small failures just the same. I now try to slow my mind from its usual pace, and admire my current surroundings. I am surrounded by some pretty incredible people who love and support me. I go to a beautiful school in a beautiful state; not many people can say the same. These ordinary things are pretty extraordinary. If we only took but a moment to stress the small stuff, we’ll come to realize that our days are filled with so many wonderful joys. So in the weeks and months to come, take the time to notice the beauty in the seemingly ordinary parts of your life. You may come to realize that the small stuff can be quite remarkable too.