In case you've never done the math, there are 86,400 seconds in the course of one day. This number might seem totally useless to you right now, but I promise you, it plays a huge role in your life. Everyday, you are given 86,400 seconds that you must decide how to use. More importantly, you are given 86,400 moments a day that have the potential to change who you are and how you feel. We usually think the most important moments in our lives are the milestone moments-- learning to walk, learning to drive, birthdays, graduations and weddings. And I'm not saying that they aren't important, because they are...they just don't paint the whole picture. What about the little moments we experience daily? The moments that are so forgettable that they escape our minds merely seconds after they occur? We don't quite realize the impact these little moments have on us, and they deserve a little bit of recognition. I'm sure that if we all were more mindful of just a handful more of the little things, we would be so much more appreciative of our lives. These are just some of the 86,400 moments we experience on the daily and don't take time to notice.
1. When the person in front of you holds the door open.
It's always a pleasant surprise when you find that someone has taken the time to hold the door open for you. They could've easily opened the door just enough for themselves to slip in and slam the door as quickly as they came, but they didn't. They used a moment of their time to step back and allow you to go first. Most of the time, we're in such a hurry that we don't even say thank you, and we fail to realize that they consciously made the decision to do this small thing for us.
2. The strangers who smile as they pass by.
This is scientifically proven to be a win-win for everyone, so even if you don't realize it...the facts don't lie. When you pass by somebody who smiles at you, you instinctively smile back. You don't think anything of it, but when you smile back, your body releases endorphins (natural painkillers) and serotonin (a natural anti-depressant). The stranger who decided to smile is actually doing you (and themselves) a favor in the one second of eye contact you both made in passing. Ever wondered why smiling makes you feel so good? Here's your answer.
3. Hearing the opening notes of your favorite song on the radio.
Everyone has that one song or artist that gives them energy and brightens their mood. We're all guilty of rocking out a little too hard when we hear our favorite song, and it's perfectly alright. We often miss the effect it has on us in any situation, and the feelings it gives us. We sing and dance, and suddenly the world seems so much more colorful. When we're caught up in the big things, we hardly notice.
4. The first sip of coffee in the morning.
The first sip is your most satisfying one in terms of marginal benefit. The caffeine hasn't kicked in yet, but that initial sip has set a high bar for the cup of coffee that's to come. Taste it. Appreciate it. Wake up. It starts your day off with a kick of energy. It gets you in the right mentality to get up, show up and be productive. We should be thankful that we all have things to do anyway; there's always someone out there who would do anything to be in your situation.
5. When someone says, "I love you."
These three words take less than 2 seconds to say, but they have a tremendous impact on us. Whether this comes from your parents, a friend or a significant other-- it gives you this sense of warmth and joy to know that someone cares. We fail to appreciate other people's love for us adequately, even though those two seconds can leave a lasting effect for millions more. Our hearts should always be full with this lasting feeling of care and love to give to others, too.
My challenge for you is to spend more time recognizing and appreciating the little moments that happen day-to-day. They truly have more impact on us than we know if we only take the time to stop and realize they're happening before we blink and miss them. Be more mindful, grateful and optimistic about the moments that have happened, the ones currently happening and the ones that will come. After all, small things create a big life.
