I’ve lost some of my zest for life.
That’s my conclusion after spending a week with my five-year-old granddaughter.
We did all the things. Princess dance camp, art projects, afternoons at Chuck E Cheese, meals in front of the TV, manicures, and lots of dolls. And she enjoyed every single bit of it.
But the joy she found in the smallest things is what made me pause and take stock.
On her gazillionth try playing skee ball she FINALLY made a point. Not 100 points. Not 50 points. But the lowest possible number. 10 whole points. And she jumped up and down as though she’d won the lottery.
At lunch one day I dusted her strawberries with a little confectioner’s sugar. The unexpected surprise brought so much delight I wanted to dunk the whole bag of sugar on her plate.
No one has ever accused me of being under-dramatic. I’m naturally animated. I use my hands. My eyes get big. My mouth often gapes open in surprise.
But after a week with my granddaughter, I realized I need some help remembering how to get excited about life. In other words, I need some zest for life. (The definition of zest is great enthusiasm and energy.)
Here’s why I’m certain I need help remembering how to get excited about life—
I woke up this morning without one single ache or pain, with no trace of a stomach virus or flu, and, of course, with a beating heart. And not one time did I stop to delight in my good health.
When I turned the faucet on to brush my teeth, clear, clean water gushed out. But I didn’t smile. Or breathe a prayer of gratitude.
That was just the first few minutes of my day. Every 24 hours I have a thousand opportunities to get a little excited.
But all those opportunities seem humdrum. Ordinary. Something that’s supposed to happen.
And I suppose that’s my problem. My zest for life fades when I don’t recognize my blessings. When I begin seeing blessings as entitlements, I start acting like a spoiled brat. With an outreached hand, I’m so focused on expecting the next good thing, I fail to acknowledge the blessing I’m experiencing NOW.
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
Everything I have…every breath I take…every moment I’m loved by someone…is a treasure given to me by God.
And it’s all worth getting excited about.
3 TIPS FOR HOW TO GET EXCITED ABOUT LIFE
1. Be grateful
Not just for the big things, but for all the little things. From the moment we open our eyes in the morning, we can begin looking for reasons to be grateful. (We cab start with a beating heart.)
Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18, HCSB
2. Counter boredom with blessings.
Every time we feel bored, impatient, or critical, we can try counting our blessings. This is the most dependable way to change our mood and it’s almost always a great reminder for how to get excited about life. Every word of thanks we utter to God is heard by Him.
3. Remember that today is a gift and we’re not guaranteed tomorrow.
Life can seem ordinary or mundane when we take it for granted. But the truth is, the moment we’re living in now is the only one we’re guaranteed. Every single day is a gift, and whether or not we unwrap it is up to us.
Seeing my granddaughter jump up and down with delight this week thrilled my soul. And I have a feeling every time we show enthusiasm for the blessings He so graciously gives us, we thrill the heart of God.
Absolutely loved this. The visual image of your granddaughter brought this message to life for me! What excitement we could exhibit daily when we stop to acknowledge all the “ordinary” yet oh-so undeserved and unordinary blessings we have from Him!
Yes! Margaret, it’s something I have to keep myself in check about constantly. A grateful spirit changes how I view EVERYTHING. And it always puts a little more pep in my step:)