How often do you "wake up" to the beauty around you? 

My friend Pam McPhee, director of The Browne Center for Innovative Learning at the University of New Hampshire, tells the story of a Nicaraguan family she met on one of her many volunteer work trips. She was there to help improve sanitary conditions in the city of Managua and came upon a young woman and her children living in the most dire poverty.

Most of us reading this post are fortunate to have our basic needs met. We look to the holidays for extras like the latest iPad, a special piece of jewelry, new gloves, or perhaps a vacation or new car.

Another One

Pam was nearby one morning as the family awoke--with no food, barely any clothes, and sleeping on a mound of debris, a trash dump.

As the sun broke through one of the children, a little girl, awoke, looking around her in awe and wonder, and said: "Another one."

Another one. Another day of life.

Her joy was palpable. Pam was taken aback by the young girl's gratitude over having one more day to wake up to--to live.

Taking LIfe For Granted

How often do you take life for granted? Each new day--just like so many--barely noticed.

What if you really looked? What would you see?

• Your children, heart-stoppingly beautiful?
• Your spouse, beloved life partner, best friend?
• Would you notice the sun, the air, the clouds, the stars?
• Your house, garden, neighborhood?
• The blessing of having work to do in the world?
• Would you stop for this ki moment?

We Have So Much.

In this season of gift-giving, holiday planning, and so much to do, it's easy to live in a state of multi-tasking perpetual motion, missing the gifts we already possess.

Make this moment a ki moment. Don't let it pass by unnoticed. 

Shaken By Life's Beauty

If you are drawn like I am to the theme of "waking up to life" you'll also like Leo Babauta's story: "Shaken By Life's Beauty, Shaken".