Do you ever stop to take it all in?

When I was about 10 years old, I used to sit with my friends on the little hill in my neighbor’s yard. We’d gaze out at the houses, gardens, and trees around us, taking it all in.

Even then, I remember thinking: You’re only this young once. You have to stop and appreciate the special moments; the fact that you’re young and playing with good friends!

My friends thought I was a bit of a weirdo for saying stuff like that, of course. But now, nearly 40 years later, I wonder if they remember that moment too.

To this day, I still pause to take in the beauty around me, especially when something strikes me as particularly magical. Sometimes I’ll ask whoever I’m with to stop and take notice too. These little moments—quiet, fleeting, full of wonder—feel like the ones that truly make life special.

What about you? Do you have any favorite “magic moments”?

On the Wind (Cherry Blossom #02)
It blows to some beautiful, magical place. Let’s go there too. 
Watercolor, 18×24 inches