Awesome

I mean the literal definition, not the way we use it casually. 

I'm sure you've heard the phrase simple minds like simple pleasures. It is a statement made by those who think the more involved something is, the better. (Or it's something people say to be funny) The question arises for me: what do you consider simple? A sunset may seem to be a simple thing but it's existence is the result of one of the greatest mysteries we contemplate. The universe is an ever expanding, fascinating place, in which we are a speck. Speaking of contemplating, the fact that we have the capacity to see the sunset and think it's pretty, understand that it's a sunset, know what a sunset is and contemplate our place within the larger picture is amazing.

Be amazed! I have actually had someone tell me that they are no longer impressed with the beauty of sunsets. That they had seen so many it wasn't impressive anymore. Have you ever been in the mindset that is convinced that things would be better if or that you will be happy when some kind of circumstances are met? It's interesting to watch the movement of the mind in relation to how you feel. One day you may be ambivalent to the most beautiful scene, but the next seeming to see every thing in the world laid out just for you.

Embrace coincidence. Maybe serendipitous things occur in your life but you write them off as coincidences. So what? Does the coincidence make it less fun to say it was just for you? Try existing with the mentality that everything is just for you. For example, this weekend I brought home a bike to ride with my son. On the way home, there was portion of a road blocked off because a car had hit a bicycle. That's ominous and freaky. I chose to see it as a warning to be careful and diligent while riding. So I went home and had a wonderful time riding and paying attention. 

There are so many examples of things to be delighted by in the world. I'm glad my mother is who she is because this is a lesson I learned from her. Nature is amazing, beautiful and cathartic. We can also say the same of human achievement. Because we're of nature and we are capable of creating wonders; whether through our biology (read make babies) or through our ingenuity. If we have a reverence for, and a sense of awe of, the world and it's inhabitants, what we choose to do in the world will reflect that awe and will improve conditions. Apathy, being comfortable in our ruts, can't lead to improvement. It can only breed more of the same. So if you are feeling disheartened by the state of affairs, find something to feel in awe of. Move in the world from that mentality. You can try it any time you feel sad or upset. Instead of spinning your wheels and cocooning yourself into that painful mentality, find something to be in awe of. It's rainy today. I'm tired and at work. But, water creates amazing changes in life. Water has very particular properties that support life. It allows life to exisit on our planet.
What about our capacity to endure pain? What have you endured? How much have you over come? Stand in awe of your resilience.