I hear all of the time "make sure to appreciate the little things." And do I listen? Sometimes... Other times I worry about what my future will be like and if I am going in the right direction. Actually, I do that more than I'd like to admit.

But on other occasions, I actually take the time to slow down and take in what is all around me. I should do this more, but priorities are priorities. I listen to the leaves rustle in the trees, I hear the crickets play their song at night, and see the stars twinkle. It is like my senses open up and my entire body relaxes.

We also need to start appreciating the things people do for us more. When I come home, my mom welcomes me with open arms and then later starts my laundry (yes, my mom does my laundry even at 21 years old). While this is a normal thing, I often forget how thankful I should be. Yes, I could do my own laundry. But my mom offers to do it and that really means a lot to me.

People often get so wrapped up in their lives that they don't even see what really matters. We are all guilty of this. We are too worried about work or school, and let everything get to us. We miss seeing the beautiful sunflower growing in the middle of a concrete jungle. We take our family for granted and just assume they will be there tomorrow. But someday, they won't. That flower will quit growing and we will have missed seeing it just like we missed spending time with our family.

So here is a little advice for myself and for all of you out there reading this: take a breath and slow down. Feel the rays of sunshine on your face, take a day off and spend it with your family, look around and see all of the things we should be thankful for, but are not. More importantly, take time to appriciate the little things. Because they have the biggest meaning.