From One Moment to the Next by Elaine M. Nielsen

The smallest moments of awareness can be the greatest blessings of life. This I believe with all my heart.

If I fail to see the single leaf, trembling in the breeze, how can I understand the trees bending in the storm?

If I forget to notice the blade of grass, so simply beautiful in form, how can I appreciate the hurried blur of a passing roadside?

If I overlook the reflection in a raindrop, how can I see God's image in a rushing river?

If I ignore the fascinating sequence of petals in a flower, how can I notice the many different faces in my life?

I believe I must try to be aware of each moment as it comes along. These moments are precious in themselves, but can also be bridges to the fullness of life.

The quiet smile of a friend reminds me of the sweet surprises of life.

Eye contact, held just a few moments more, reminds me to look longer and I'll discover the joy of hope.

A shy and slightly awkward hug reminds me to hang on to special moments of caring, for they make life worthwhile.

The crayon marks still visible on the bedroom doorframe remind me of the magical years when my children were small. We measured their heights there...how did they grow up so quickly? Memories are among life's most special moments too.

My grandmother's sewing machine cabinet, with the worn place that her hard-working hands used to touch, reminds me of the joy of work and the peace of rest.

The soft green haze of a winter wheat field just coming to life in the spring, reminds me of the renewal of life that can happen in each moment of we let it. And then we can dream of the beautiful harvest to come.

Taking the time to stop and watch a hawk or an eagle circling up high in the sky, reminds me to try my own wings and see how high I can fly.

The clear call of the turle dove always makes me stop whatever I'm doing just to listen. To me it says "peace, peace, peace" and I let the feeling, and those moments, just wash over me.

The colors of the sunset are so fascinating and remind me of all the colorful possibilities of life. Watching those colors paint the sky is a prayerful ending to the day. And a bright promise for tomorrow.

The beautiful stars in the night sky, sometimes not visible but always there, remind me of the constancy of friendship and of moments shared marveling at the mystery of those stars.

An old iron wheel leaning against my porch, with raindrops in a row on one of its spokes, reminds me of sparkling moments on the wheel of time. And that I believe in living life fully...from one moment to the next.