My daughter was sixteen months old, dressed in a light pink felt coat that flared.  Her long, light baby hair twisted in slight curls that spilled down half her back, and her bangs were pulled up in a twisty on top of her head to keep out of her bright blue eyes.  With her first few steps in New York she took to the city like she owned the place.  She trotted down the street, ignoring the bitter wind, smiling and waving at everyone that she passed.

I followed closely behind, shocked, as one hardened New Yorker after another stopped their busy rush forward to look at my child, take in her wave and smile back. 

 “Oh, how cute.” 

 “What a doll.”  

 “Well, hello there.”

The show didn’t end on the streets.  We made our way into the small restaurants filled with divine-smelling foods.  My daughter perched herself up on the highchair and smiled, waving at anyone and everyone whose eye she could catch.  Then, as the music swept through the room she’d wave her arms and dance to the beat to receive more gushing and laughter.  I saw no one resist at least smiling at her act.

Why did my baby bring so much happiness to a place that is known for its business and rushed attitude?  Why did everyone respond to her no matter what race or language they spoke?

I have a theory.  There at the toddler stage my daughter had fully embraced gratitude.  She was living in the moment.  She loved life.  She loved any and every flickering moment of attention she caught.  If she was unable to catch someone’s eye she didn’t let this bother her.  She kept trying until she did catch their eye and then when she got the desired response, she would light up and be grateful.

She was grateful for life.  She totally embraced the living of it and people recognized that joy and recognized when someone was grateful for their natural response.  It only took a moment of attention for her to light up and the people who gave it were immediately rewarded with the best she could give back.  This brought happiness to both her and them.

I often wonder if we could be grateful for the small things—like the ability to trot down the street, or a smile, or to be able to rock to the music—how much happier would we be?  When we stop and enjoy the little things, our lives are enriched.

Posted in: Self Improvement, Step It Up Living at 9:39 pm