Smelling the Flowers

There is something that has spoken to my heart this week

about stopping to smell the flowers along the way

in 

my journey.

Perhaps it's age

or just a little nudge

from 

God,

to take a little time out

from toil

and 

relax

and

enjoy a nap

and

the snow

and

family

and

friends.

There are a lot of lessons 

to

learn

while on this

earth,

and 

appreciation for

the beauty

all

around me

is 

one I learned

a

long 

time

ago.

To stop and be kind

was another

one.

Sometimes 

I 

need

a

reminder.

The chores will get done . . . 

or not . . . 

and

when I'm too old

to be able to walk

outside at will,

or drive to the mountains

for a random picnic,

or visit my friends,

I'd like to be able to say,

"I spent time enjoying those pleasures

whenever I could,

and 

I am glad!"

So, pick up pretty seashells
and interesting rocks
and bird feathers
and lovely leaves,

and hold your
babies
 on
 your
 lap,

and
eat all the freshly baked cookies you're offered.

Stroll through the grass
barefoot in the spring,


and make snowmen
and
 enjoy hot chocolate
 with whipped cream
when it's cold outside.

It's
good
to take time
to
smell
the flowers
along
the
way.