“Happiness, not in another place but this place…
not for another hour, but this hour.”
?Walt Whitman
All around the world, the present moment is filled with beauty.
If you are attentive, you will see it. If you are willing, you will help create it.
Let’s take a moment to think about the beautiful things happening around us.
Right now, at this exact moment…
- A newborn infant just took her first breath.
- Two teenage romantics just received their very first kiss, from each other.
- Someone is driving their car with the windows down and singing to their favorite song at the top of their lungs.
- Volunteers in different cities are actively assisting and standing up for the powerless, the homeless, and the neglected who need someone to speak up for them.
- Someone is in the middle of complimenting a stranger who desperately needed a reason to smile.
- Two coworkers are cracking each other up and laughing so hard they aren’t even making any noise.
- A high school guidance counselor is contributing her time, encouragement, and a listening ear to help a student realize his passion and ability.
- People near and far are holding hands with the person they love.
- A husband and wife who were drowning in debt ten years ago proudly hold a balance of zero on all their lines of credit.
- Someone is going above and beyond and doing a little extra work to make someone else’s life a little easier.
- People from all over the world are online at crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe pledging online donations to help strangers in need.
- Responsible designated drivers are getting their friends home safely.
- A student tutor is volunteering her time to help a fellow student learn.
- Someone who has struggled with their weight for years is looking down at the scale, smiling.
- A long-term alcoholic just celebrated exactly one full year of sobriety.
- Somewhere someone is admiring a breathtaking sunrise, and somewhere else a surreal sunset.
- A friend is helping a friend rise above feelings of depression and suicide.
- Someone is holding the door open for the person behind them.
- A Good Samaritan is pulled over on the side of the road assisting a stranger who’s having car trouble.
- Someone is celebrating the fact that they just broke their own personal best record.
- An active duty military member stationed overseas just received an email from a loved one.
- Hundreds of people are spending a few clicks of their time online at Free Rice.
- Someone just accidentally overheard someone else say something nice about them.
- An emergency room surgeon just saved her patient’s life.
- Two best friends are hugging each other after being apart for a while.
- Honest people are working tirelessly at various government agencies to help protect the basic human rights and civil liberties of their fellow citizens.
- Someone who suffered from a severe injury a while back is back on their feet.
- Several of the world’s next great inventors, artists and entrepreneurs are working diligently on perfecting their breakthrough ideas and crafts.
- Someone is sitting quietly and smiling about the fact that there’s nowhere else in the world they would rather be right now.
- Somewhere on the Internet someone is writing an encouraging comment on a blog post that will make others smile. 🙂
There truly is beauty to be seen in every imaginable direction if you are willing to see it and help create it. (Read 1,000 Little Things.)
Your turn…
In your eyes, what makes this moment beautiful? Please let us know by leaving a comment below.
Photo by: Eduardo Amorim
Chelle Bowman says
Hello Angel! I love these beautiful acknowledgments of the wonderful things happening right now. Too often people focus on the negative and many things on your list simply made me smile. Thank you for such a lovely article.
Dev says
I have recently been going through a difficult time, and reading this really changes my thoughts on a few things. Lately I’ve been thinking, “poor me” to too often, but after reading this I realize I have plenty enough to help others who have far less.
My change in perspective makes this moment beautiful to me. Thank you.
Sam says
A short, refreshing read. Thanks. And to answer your question:
My one-year-old son curled up and sleeping in my lap right now is what makes this moment beautiful.
Vincent Nguyen says
This is a great pick me up article and you can’t help but smile at the probability of each second being amazing for someone somewhere. Thank you, Angel. I’m going to have to remember even in my darkest hour there are people out there who are ok.
Jessica says
Thank you so, so very much for this! We often overlook the positive to focus on trying to fix or get rid of the negative. It can consume us; thank you for sharing these everyday blessings that we all tend to miss.
Elizabeth says
Every moment is beautiful when I think of my four little nephews. I didn’t think it was possible to love anyone as much as I love them! They truly make the world an amazing place.
Dana says
What makes this moment beautiful is that I am sitting in my new apartment in Austin. At the ripe young age of 44, I moved across the country by myself to live a lifelong dream of living out west. I left my childhood friends & family in the mid west. Not an easy thing for a gal who has been “set in her ways” for so many years. I feel so excited about the future and plan on challenging myself in so many ways. I have truly faced my fears and can feel my spirit soar!
Krissa says
A 101-year-old great-grandmother and her 5-year-old great-grandson are sitting in a chair together watching a baseball game right now.
Rosemary says
Some one is planting a garden that will enrich the lives of others and encourage someone to do the same.
Vamsi says
Having my delicious Tea with the perfect amount of sugar!
Arpita says
Thank-you!!
This post made me realize how many wonderful things I have been a part of since this morning. Great Job. I love reading your articles, they always make me smile.. 🙂
Robert says
Really enjoyed this post.
It is always important to take a moment and reflect on all the beautiful things around us.
Haya says
Having my morning coffee and chocolate which I am passionate about while reading my favorite blog that I look forward to checking every single morning.
Maria says
This is what life is really about and the way we should try to live it everyday…
Our thoughts and moments are very precious. Why waste them on negativity?
Great post!
Lucie says
No. 14 actually just happened to me 🙂
Great list, as every post here, it was very inspiring.
eiei says
Beautiful! 🙂 I loveeeeeeee… this post. Thumbs up!
Anthony Young says
Just made the perfect breakfast with all the ingredients ready at the righ time and at the right temperature: coffee, toast and soft-boiled eggs.
Rare moment! 🙂
Mike H says
How great it was growing up and have Roger Ebert and Gene Sikel in my life making me NOT feel different and weird. That was beautiful.
katrina says
Wish this could be making me smile instead of cry right now. I know there are things to be grateful for but all I can see are the opportunities to be happy that I keep letting slip through my fingers. I still really appreciate these lovely posts.
Amanda Kennedy says
Every day I smile in the knowledge that I have three happy healthy children whom I love with all my heart. This blog inspires me to be the best woman and mother I can, and lets me know that even such little things as complimenting a stranger can add a touch more happiness in this world.
Tim Hilario says
Anyone else got goosebumps while reading this? I can’t get the smile off my face!
Joanie says
Sitting at my kitchen table with the quiet all around me…read papers, enjoyed coffee and breakfast …enjoying the calm of the early morning before the busy day ahead
Augustine says
Just witnessed a couple being baptized and then welcoming them into the family of God.
Someone has prepaid meals for the needy in the community.
A customer returning the extra change given by the cashier.
Dede Schwartz says
The new buds sprouting up from winter, welcoming spring into our lives again.
Wanda S. Maxey says
Another new day and a chance to start over.
Atta Hanson says
Right now a gentleman is promising a loving lady friend that he is going to marry her.
Tina Lewis says
Enjoying a little me time with a book that takes me away to another place and time.
Atta Hanson says
A toddler is taking his/her first step in life.
Amy says
What makes this moment beautiful to me is looking all around me and realizing how I loved I am and how loved I’ve always been.
Melissa says
Somewhere, a teacher has helped a student grasp the challenging code of reading/math – when they have struggled with it for years.
This was truly uplifting. Thanks for sharing this positive article.
Jonathan says
GREAT reminders of the good in life… So often we are hit with the bad. Thank you! Instantly warms the heart.
Lucy says
What a beautiful, inspiring list. Thanks for sharing this with us!
Inky says
Just now a NYC bus driver stopped to wait for someone running for the bus.
annette says
I just helped a cat who came to my door in bad shape. It looks like he was in terrible battle and lost. He’s in a spare bedroom resting (due to the fact that I have other cats). He is so sweet, even using a litter box, its been 3 days and looks so much better than when he arrived… I feel so much happiness when i know that I helped this injured animal…
Amandah says
What makes this a beautiful moment is to finally hear the birds chirp in the morning. To see my two cats sit on their window seats and look out the window. Their tails flick back and forth.
I do believe Father Winter has finally packed his bags and left for the season. It’s about time. No offense. 🙂
Novia says
I truly enjoy reading this blog almost daily. In this moment, I am thankful to have saved the money & to have the freedom to be traveling to Denver to see a dear friend that I haven’t seen in a year.
Cathryn says
Wouldn’t it be neat to turn on the news one night and only hear these stories??
Josiah I says
Yes, there are beautiful happening now. I was sick a while ago, I am OK now. Someone who insulted me two days ago has come to apologize for his wrong doings. Thank you Marc and Angel for your wonderful write-up here.
Rae says
I have just helped my beautiful friend from Taiwan fill in her insurance forms, as she is still learning English. The smile and excitement on her face is beautiful and priceless.
beckels says
Going to visit my love who is in prison and enjoying a little quiet time with him.
David J. Singer says
You are amazing. I don’t know how you keep coming up with this stuff. This is a terrific post. We live in a giant world and so often we forget that, only seeing the little circle around us. What a great reminder to stop and think about all the amazing things constantly happening everywhere. Thanks!
Denise says
Love this!
My addition: listening to my husband sing off-key in the shower. It makes me smile every morning!
Buddy says
Seeing the feeling of real love and acceptance in my daughter’s eyes this morning when I told her I love her for being exactly the person she is.
Warren says
After a very difficult two years, too often full of poor me and jadedness, this really helped me.
Right now I’m smiling with my yellow lab curled up by me on the bed. She keeps me going. I volunteered herr as a therapy dog at a hospice.
Seeing the positive is a big challenge and I am healing a bit everyday. Thank you all!
Sonia says
I’m relaxing and listening to a nice and sweet melody. Great. Up and down. Slow at first, quicker later.
http://grooveshark.com/s/Oltremare/3eBGT2?src=5
Thanks for these lovely reminders.
Julia says
Someone is walking their dog through a farmers field enjoying the sun shinning down on them… and thanking each day for their loyal companion.
Guadalupe Gómez Aguado says
Reading this post really make my day beautiful. Thank you very much!
ilyes says
Every moment in life is beautiful if we know the value of It… I love this post for reminding me of this. It makes me smile and look forward to beautiful moments with the people I care about them. Marc and Angel you’re awesome! 😉
Jenifer says
Every item put a smile on my face and for each item I have experienced first-hand, it put extra warmth in my heart. Thanks for the positive perspective.
Caroline says
Very timely… I have a big operation tomorrow and was counting all my blessings when I got this email. Another 30 beautiful blessings that put a smile on my dial. Thank you.