Choose To Enjoy Each Day

Mary Jane Irion said, “Normal Day, let me be aware of the treasure that you are.” There are so many wonders around us each day, if we are awake and aware. Often times we are so busy getting to, coming from, hurrying from task to task that we seldom stop to smell the roses.

Years ago I came to the realization that I may as well enjoy each day, since this was as good as it was going to get. This discovery came at a time when I had small children and we had planned a trip to Disneyland. I was looking forward to the trip and thought that this would be a magical fun time with my family. I had fond memories of traveling with my parents and family to Disneyland, of course I was a teenager at the time and had thoroughly enjoyed the freedom of exploring without my parents, meeting up with them later and having fun together.

This same trip as the parent with three small boys was quite different. We had the straps from their wrists to ours to help us keep track of them in the crowd. We had snacks and allowed for nap-time at the hotel. But excited little children do not always nap on schedule even if they are tired. And keeping track of little people all day long can be exhausting and all the amazing things to see and do, tire out little legs.

Do not misunderstand me, we had a lot of fun, but it was much more stressful and tiring than either being at home with small children, or holidaying without small children. The holiday did not magically change the reality of living with my family. In fact it probably increased the stress.

To top it off, when we got home we asked our boys, “What was your favorite part of the trip.” Their answers were the tram ride from the parking lot to the gate at Disneyland and the swimming pool at the hotel. That may have had something to do with those being the times when Mom and Dad were more relaxed and less worried about losing one of them. But it seemed that we had spent a lot of money trying to create a perfect holiday, where a much simpler holiday would have meant just as much to them.

I realized that I had the choice to enjoy my life and my children each day. I began to understand that if I did not enjoy my life on a normal day, chances were that being on a holiday would not improve my outlook. The choice was inside of me, not in my surroundings.

I have found that gratitude plays a huge role in allowing me to love my life no matter what life has to offer. I have also found it helpful to live today. I try not to spend my days thinking that things will be good when we go on holiday or when some future time comes. I want to enjoy each day as it comes.

This decision to be happy with what is, is something I have tried to apply in each stage of my life. Becoming grateful for each day allows us to enjoy the gift that is the present day.