I don’t need to tell you that part of life is facing adversity from time to time.
But perhaps like me, you may need a little reminder that it’s how we look at those trying times that ultimately determines our outlook.
Even the smallest inconveniences can feel catastrophic when we fail to see the light. <<Click to Tweet
Recently, my husband and I took on the challenge of hanging a light fixture. This isn’t a huge task but it required tools, a ladder, and plenty of muscular endurance on the part of the fixture holder (me). It was the kind of chore that needed to be done, but had been put off. As this was the first time installing a fixture for both of us, there was a bit of a learning curve and a time investment that wasn’t anticipated from the beginning; this combination sounds a bit like a recipe for potential disaster.
We started out with the best of intentions, but as the clock ticked by and the minutes passed, frustration began to rear its ugly head. My arms began to ache from being extended indefinitely while my husband ran into a roadblock of sorts trying to get the final pieces to lock into place. We both gritted our teeth and pushed on.
Little did I know there would be a reward beyond pretty lighting in the end.
Once we overcame the basic challenge of getting the fixture secured in place, there was still one step left to accomplish: unwrap and untangle the numerous packages of dangling shells that made up the final design. As we began to unwrap and let the strings of shells fall, I found myself struck by the beauty of the sound. Rather than being annoyed by the seemingly million tiny little baggies to unwrap, I shifted my focus and saw each piece as a gift; the gift of sound or life-music.
Although it happens around each and every one of us, daily, more often than not I think we miss the music of life. <<Click to Tweet
This happens so unconsciously; we all need regular reminders to listen for it. God sends us music in so many different forms, yet there’s something so simple and refreshing about the sounds that surround our everyday actions. When we stop to hear them, truly hear them, we have the ability to ground and reconnect to the world.
Do you hear the birds singing even on your busy city street?
Do you notice the beauty of someone else's laughter?
Are those stomping toddler feet truly an annoyance or do they represent growth and zest for life?
Listen for it. Hear it. Share it with your kids. And be thankful for the music of living that surrounds you each and every day.
Jennifer is a stay-at-home mom to two energetic, fun-loving boys ages 7 and 3. She found a new passion in exploring great children's music after becoming a mom, which she blogs about at Swing Whistle Zing. Jennifer fancies finding quality tunes the whole family can enjoy, and dancing with her boys (both big and little) to her favorite songs that connect her to the past and keep her grounded in the present.