Appreciate Life’s Little Moments {Ryan Stephens}

by Samantha on September 10, 2009

There are big moments, HUGE moments even, that will be ingrained in my brain forever:

  • Breaking the district record in the mile in 8th grade.
  • Scoring the winning run in the Astrodome to upset the 4th ranked team in the state during the playoffs my senior year…. And the way I felt after knowing I couldn’t share it with my parents.
  • Breaking up with the only person I truly ever loved, and the unpleasant way I reacted.

I’m grateful for all of these moments. They’ve made me the person I am today; someone I’m proud to be.

You have these moments too: The way you felt when you finally graduated college, got married, had your first child, lost your first loved one.

Most of us take the time to appreciate these moments for what they are, but here’s the thing: These moments are few and far between. Life is made up of millions of smaller moments. Moments that most of us rarely take the time to appreciate.

Moments like when your buddy is giving you a private concert with all your friends around, and you lock eyes momentarily with an old flame across the room.

Moments like the first time a chocolate ganache brownie from Café Lalo hits your taste buds.

Moments like the way a woman rubs her feet against you or squeezes your hand in bed.

And maybe even these are too big. What about moments like these?

I’m thankful for these moments. I try to appreciate them all; to be fully present for everything I encounter each day.

What about you? Do you take the time to appreciate the little moments in life?

(h/t to Ben for sharing the video)

ryans

Appreciative Revolutionary: Ryan Stephens (@ryanstephens)

Bio: Ryan is the Director of Community for Sports Media Challenge by day, and an ambitious entrepreneur by night (and weekends.) He blogs at Ryan Stephens Marketing and is a regular contributor to Sports Networker. In his spare time he loves drinking cold beer, jamming Texas Country tunes, running far, staying fit, and being way too critical of movies.

Favorite ice cream flavor: Rocky Road (and I don’t eat anything but the best, Blue Bell)

I appreciate Ryan’s marketing insight, his drive and determination, and the way he honors Gen Y bloggers with the bi-monthly Top 10 Gen Y Blogs list!

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Tagged as: Advice, Appreciation, being thankful, bloggers, Learning, memories

  • So often we get caught up in all the big things. Where are we going to live, what are we going to do, how are we going to get "there," what will we be. I definitely get caught up in this sensation far too much. Like life is one big rugby game, and you either gotta go big or you're going home.

    But really, it's these tiny little moments that make up the majority of our existence. Certainly the big moments stick in our minds, but the little ones are what make us who we are.
  • So often we get caught up in all the big things. Where are we going to live, what are we going to do, how are we going to get "there," what will we be. I definitely get caught up in this sensation far too much. Like life is one big rugby game, and you either gotta go big or you're going home.

    But really, it's these tiny little moments that make up the majority of our existence. Certainly the big moments stick in our minds, but the little ones are what make us who we are.
  • I definitely take time to appreciate moment in life. I never had anything in my life too easy, not everything i want I can get so smoothly so when good things happen i really appreciate it. Enjoy it to the fullest :)
  • I definitely take time to appreciate moment in life. I never had anything in my life too easy, not everything i want I can get so smoothly so when good things happen i really appreciate it. Enjoy it to the fullest :)
  • Great post! I too agree that we have to learn to appreciate all the simple, everyday moments in life. Far too often we forget these things, and then we forget what life is really made up of. Life isn't made up of huge earth shattering moments. We have to learn to appreciate EVERY day...even if it seems ordinary.
  • Great post! I too agree that we have to learn to appreciate all the simple, everyday moments in life. Far too often we forget these things, and then we forget what life is really made up of. Life isn't made up of huge earth shattering moments. We have to learn to appreciate EVERY day...even if it seems ordinary.
  • That's an awesome video, moving in both it's simplicity and the deep meaning behind the moments it captured. Appreciating the small moments in our lives is a great reminder - one that is easy to lose sight of. I also think it's important to feel into each moment - when we feel happy, really truly feel it and appreciate it. Same goes for sadness and loneliness and the other side of the spectrum. There is a lot to be said for really living our lives, moment by moment, with depth and clarity.

    Great post Ryan, and even though it's 11 a.m. over here that Rocky Road is calling my name...
  • That's an awesome video, moving in both it's simplicity and the deep meaning behind the moments it captured. Appreciating the small moments in our lives is a great reminder - one that is easy to lose sight of. I also think it's important to feel into each moment - when we feel happy, really truly feel it and appreciate it. Same goes for sadness and loneliness and the other side of the spectrum. There is a lot to be said for really living our lives, moment by moment, with depth and clarity.

    Great post Ryan, and even though it's 11 a.m. over here that Rocky Road is calling my name...
  • By far, these little moments are the most self defining. I found this video last week and I love it. I watch it periodically because not only did they catch some amazing (but tiny) moments but it also reminds me to keep them in my thoughts.
  • By far, these little moments are the most self defining. I found this video last week and I love it. I watch it periodically because not only did they catch some amazing (but tiny) moments but it also reminds me to keep them in my thoughts.
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