In 84,600 seconds

Yesterday, late afternoon there was a double treat in the sky. Some of us were entertained with a spectacular rainbow that lit up the fall foliage as another performance was taking place on the opposite side. There was this incredible sunset occurring in the western sky at exactly the same time. This morning it felt like an encore performance - the light, the foliage, the depth of the early morning sky equally as beautiful. Moments like these pop up when we least expect it. Suddenly, we stop. We appreciate the moment.
Mary Oliver states it best in her poem, ‘Snow Geese.’ “I held my breath as we do sometimes to stop time when something wonderful has touched us...” If you pay attention and appreciate the outdoors, there is always something special about the November sky. November is also a month where we set aside a day to celebrate our veterans, to thank them. Unfortunately, this holiday is filled with retail and one-day sales rather than its true purpose – to say thank you and give honor to our veterans. 

Saying thank you in its simplest form is an act of kindness, which leads me to my final Friday thought. Last December, there was a wave of kindness that went viral when journalist, Ann Curry called on people all over the world to perform 26 acts of random kindness to honor the lives lost at Sandy Hook Elementary School. This year, there is a similar effort occurring in Newtown, CT. “Try to do one act of kindness, big or little, for 26 days with the last day being December 14th. Each day from November 19th to December 14th please share what your act of kindness was!” 

Let’s start with being thankful for brilliant rainbows and beautiful sunsets and sunrises. Use Monday to acknowledge and say thank you to our service men and women; our scores of U.S. veterans. As William Arthur Ward once said, “God gave you a gift of 84,600 seconds today. Have you used one of them to say thank you?” Or be kind? Random acts of kindness waiting to happen. Use your 84,600 seconds wisely. It starts with saying thank you. The extra step - finding someone who might least expect receiving your #26Acts of random kindness.

P.S. How’s your November garden? 

Images by Greg Bilowz ©

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