Those..."Awwww" Moments

 Living life into the 5th decade has it's advantages compared to life in the 2nd, 3rd, and even the 4th decade. Even though the wrinkles and other signs of aging begin to pop up there are some signs of wisdom that pop up too.

So what are the advantages? Well, one big one for me, has been the realization of the power in small things. Living life in the expat world has also raised my awareness of this. I call this the "Awwww" Moments of Life.

What constitutes these moments? It is stuff like the simple coffee/tea times with friends. It's finding pictures that remind you of the value of a relationship. It's sitting as you wait for a ride and suddenly you become aware of how nice the breeze is and that there are birds singing. It's drinking in these quieter moments of life and the fellowship
of people.

Traffic in my city can be so chaotic. It reminds me of life for some people...crazy with things coming from every direction! (check out the Hanoi traffic video at the end of this)
It can seem that there is no other way to live in this world...driving in the fast and chaotic lane. And at the same time, I wonder, "Does it really have to be this way or have we just been conditioned to busyness in life?" Coming from the high achiever that I have been in life, this is a question that reflects a major shift of my thinking.

We all want to feel like our life counts for something. We all want to know there has been a purpose in our living on this earth. Many times people look for the big accomplishments to give them this feedback on their life. But what if your purpose and work in life is like the pituitary gland? This part of our body is the size of a pea, and yet, it is called the Master Gland. Its function as a small pea has tremendous impact on the healthy function of our bodies. What if the pituitary gland became frustrated with its position and size? What if this frustration led it to try to function as the heart? Frantically trying to be the heart, the little pituitary gland would fail in both being the heart and fulfilling it's true purpose as the pituitary gland.

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I wonder if sometimes the chaos in life is brought on by us trying to achieve things we were not meant to achieve or at least not at that time? I wonder if sometimes the stress of living is brought on by our mis-directed efforts to be something or do something we are not created to do or be? I think of the story that is found in the Bible. It tells of how giving someone a drink of water when in need, is considered a good deed to be rewarded in eternity. What?!!! Just a drink of water?! Yes! A small deed of kindness is remembered and rewarded
in eternity.

Being in the moment with people is so valuable! Taking time to talk. Taking time to sit together, eat together, laugh together, cry together...taking time.The greatest achievement that I believe
I can make is the letter that I write on the hearts of people that have been put in my life. The greatest thing that I can build is people. What about you?

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