Appreciating the Little Things

The first legitimate post is devoted to the little joys of life.  

It all started this evening when I had the pleasure to go to the special screening of BYU Broadcasting's filming of A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Utah Shakespeare Festival this year.  Having worked on much of the pre production of the show, it was exciting to see the finished product. I compiled the credits and when they rolled at the end, I had a bit of pride coursing through me. It was the first time I'd ever had my work (as small as it was) shown on such a large scale.  Small, but satisfying.

Next moment may have been the best of the night. Because this was a special screening, many of the cast and crew members from the Shakespeare festival were there too.  Of these was the actress that played Hyppolita, she brought her two little girls with her.  After the show was over, everyone congregated in the lobby and began making their way out the doors to head home.  Much to everyone's surprise (or maybe just mine) the snow was falling by the truck load outside.  The youngest of these girls, upon seeing the snow outside, put on her coat as fast as she could while doing what appeared to be a version of the "potty dance" and screaming,

"oh my gosh, OH MY GOSH IT'S SNOWING!! IT'S SNOWING!!!" 

She then rushed outside to soak in every precious snowflake she could get her little paws on.  I had a nice chuckle over this but didn't think much of it until she ran back inside 5 minutes later screaming to her mom,

"Mom?? Get your butt out here!!! It's a winta wundaland!!"

I guess I just forgot how exciting this season is.  It took a little 6 year old girl to remind me how much I love the snow and the Holiday Season.  

The third moment happened later that evening.  I went to the BYU Creamery tonight after the show with my date, Mackenzie Treu, and Ethan Rodriguez.  While we were there Mackenzie mentioned she was hungry so I asked her what she wanted. Being the girl she is, she said she didn't know.  So I suggested the first thing I saw, pizza.  Eventually this transformed into Hot Pockets and we bought some.  I also saw yogurt for sale at $ .58 which is not a deal you turn down.  So, we bought a couple of those, and some string cheese, and next thing you know...

A Delicious Meal for 2

We ended up really enjoying the meal! We split the donuts and ate the meal in the light of a Halloween candle while we watched Scrubs.  It was the highlight of the date and we had a good laugh.  How can something so simple bring so much joy to our lives? It didn't cost hardly anything, and it was a memorable evening for both of us!

The last little joy happened when I walked Mackenzie home.  The snow storm had ended by then and we walked in the new fallen snow while we talked.  The street lights were reflecting of the new white surface and I suddenly felt at peace.  If someone were to ask where my "happy place" is, I would say it's in my living room at home, sitting in the light of our Christmas tree and looking out the window as the amber street lights reflect off of the gently falling snow.  To me, there is nothing more peaceful and joyful.  It's one of those things that really makes me feel warm and content.

"The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow, gave a luster of midday to objects below..."

As I walked home tonight, I started thinking about these little joys in life. Why do we sometimes find such indescribable joy in such simple things? 

"20 People liked my status!!!"

And why do we have such a hard time appreciating the things we so often take for granted?

I guess the Lord explains himself pretty well in Alma:

"Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise."

I'm resolving to start looking for the little things, recognizing them more in my life. I think we can all benefit from that; it'll help us start looking on the other side of the glass.

AMS