We often look past the little things while focusing on the big ones.
While focusing on the approach of life's milestones and major events, we tend to lose sight of the smaller, seemingly more insignificant things. Although it is natural for the birthdays, anniversaries, promotions, holidays, vacations etc. to be events we prioritize and that stick out most in our memories, it is often those small overlooked moments that mean most in the long run. When I catch myself reminiscing on good times, I have found that the things I value the most are the inside jokes, the nostalgic smells, the emotions, the facial expressions, the words and all of the other little details that so easily overlooked. So stop and take notice to the small things because those are what count.
We are so filled with anxiety and stress that we are programmed to constantly long for the passing of time.
Since a young age, we have spent the school day looking forward to dismissal, the school week looking forward to the weekend and the school year looking forward to the summer. As students, we are overwhelmed with work and extra-curricular activities and often find ourselves looking forward to breaks and times of tranquility. In doing this, we are trying to fast forward the time being and skip over all of the obstacles and the times of stress -- all of which are commonly dreaded, yet vital parts of life. During this time of haste, we let time fall through the cracks and we rush times of value along with it.
We have always wanted to grow up beyond our years.
Every girl has memories of raiding their mother/older sister's closets and trying on their high heels, fantasizing about being a "grown up." It is in our nature to be discontent with our current states. We always want what someone else has, want to be a certain age to obtain the privileges that come along with it, and we fail to enjoy the time being. Before we know it, we are older and more mature, with new and more serious responsibilities, and in a position where we'd rather go back in time than move forward. In retrospect, as that "grown up" you tend to feel regret towards that expedited time. The innocence and juvenility in youth is something that can never be regained and the passing of time and tarnishing of that innocence is inevitable.
We fail to see how precious life is, and how you aren't promised much of it.
Unfortunately, if you have ever lost a loved one too soon you can most likely relate to this. Each moment of our lives are precious -- the good times and the bad times and every moment in between. We tend to take this for granted. We tend to all of the time that we are able to spend with others for granted and fail to realize it until it is too late. Relationships and people seem like they are everlasting, however, nothing can surpass time. You never know when the last time is the last time, so seize the moments that you have with those that you love before they become a memory.
We've been so consumed with technology that we've become secondhand observers of our own lives.
When something exciting happens, our initial reaction is to take out our phones to capture a photo or a video of it. We take our eyes off of what it is that is going on and view it through the screen of our phones as we do so. We "do it for the gram" and post videos and photos to show that we were there to every one that can see. We sit on our phones when we are surrounded by people and revert our attention from human connection to our screens. We are all guilty of this. In looking down for a moment you can miss what is going on around you and fail to be fully involved in your life. So put the phones down, take mental pictures instead of real ones and enjoy the time that you have to your fullest ability.
