Slowing Down to See What Matters

Life has a way of keeping us busy. Between responsibilities, schedules, and distractions, it is easy to rush through our days without stopping to appreciate what is right in front of us. For years, I lived that way—always focused on what was next, what needed fixing, or what goal I had to chase. But eventually, life slowed me down. Through loss, reflection, and faith, I began to realize that joy is rarely found in the big moments. It is tucked away in the quiet, ordinary moments we often overlook.

I have learned that happiness is not something you stumble upon; it is something you notice. The more I learned to see God’s hand in the small details of my life, the more joy I found in places I never expected.

Gratitude Begins with Awareness

Joy starts with gratitude, and gratitude begins with awareness. When you take time to notice the little blessings around you, your heart naturally fills with appreciation. A sunrise on a cool morning, the sound of laughter at the dinner table, a stranger’s smile at the grocery store—these moments are easy to miss when we are moving too fast.

There was a time when I believed joy came from achievements or success. But over the years, I’ve realized that true joy often comes from the things we can’t buy or plan for. The smell of coffee brewing before the sun rises, the feeling of my feet hitting the ground on a morning walk, the comfort of knowing I am loved and forgiven—those are the real treasures.

Developing the habit of gratitude changed how I experience life. I began writing down three simple things I was thankful for each morning. Some days, it was something as small as “a good workout” or “a kind word from a friend.” Over time, that practice rewired my outlook. I started looking for reasons to be grateful instead of waiting for happiness to show up on its own.

Finding Joy in Ordinary Moments

We live in a culture that often measures joy by excitement. We chase vacations, promotions, and milestones, believing those are the moments that define happiness. And while those things can bring satisfaction, they are not what sustain it. The truth is, joy hides in the moments between the milestones.

For me, it might be sitting on the porch with a cup of tea, watching the world wake up. It might be a conversation with one of my kids, hearing their laughter echo through the house. Sometimes it is simply being still, taking a deep breath, and feeling thankful for another day to live and serve.

I have come to believe that God designed us to find peace in simplicity. Life does not have to be extravagant to be meaningful. When I volunteer at The WARM Place or serve families through my foundation, I often meet people who are walking through incredible pain. And yet, they still find reasons to smile. A child draws a picture of their lost loved one and proudly shares it. A parent thanks me for listening. Those moments of simple human connection are powerful reminders that joy is possible even in hardship.

Joy Through Service

One of the greatest lessons I have learned is that serving others multiplies joy. When you take your eyes off yourself and focus on lifting someone else, you begin to see how much good there still is in the world. Service brings perspective, and perspective brings gratitude.

At Camp Sanguinity, where children battling illness spend a week just being kids, I have witnessed pure joy in its truest form. These kids are not worried about tomorrow; they are fully alive in the moment. Their laughter, courage, and faith have taught me more about joy than any book ever could.

Every time I serve, I walk away reminded that joy grows when you give it away. Gratitude fuels generosity, and generosity feeds joy—it’s a beautiful cycle that can change lives, including your own.

Faith and Contentment

Faith is at the heart of all lasting joy. When you trust that God is in control, you can find peace no matter what life brings. I’ve gone through seasons of uncertainty where it felt like everything was falling apart. But every time, gratitude and faith helped me find light in the darkness.

Joy is not pretending everything is perfect. It is knowing that even when things are imperfect, you are still blessed. When we live from that place of contentment, we stop chasing what we do not have and start appreciating what we do.

Each day offers countless opportunities to experience joy, but we have to train our hearts to recognize them. The sound of rain on the roof, a hug from someone you love, the ability to breathe deeply and start fresh—these are small miracles we can easily take for granted.

Living with Open Eyes and a Grateful Heart

If you take one thing away from my story, let it be this: joy is not about adding more to your life; it is about seeing what is already there. Slow down. Look around. Thank God for the ordinary gifts that fill your day.

When you choose to see life through the lens of gratitude, the world looks different. Worries lose their weight. Challenges feel smaller. Hope becomes stronger. You begin to see how every moment, no matter how simple, is an opportunity to experience God’s goodness.

So take time today to find joy in the little things. Notice the blessings that have been there all along. A grateful heart turns ordinary moments into extraordinary ones, and when you live that way, joy is never far behind.