slowing down

[[this post was from yesterday, but i was really sick and fell asleep before i could post]]

my thoughts: i've frequently noticed that the little things in life are the things that make the biggest difference. lately, i have been too busy to notice the good around me or be inspired because i've been so caught up with school and work. as i usually do, i was walking between class and work, trying to eat a bagel with one hand with my nose buried in the school newspaper, a coffee in the crook of my left arm when i stopped to look up at the people i was walking amongst. i could see that as i read the newspaper and managed to balance my bagel and coffee between my arms, several people were walking around me, clearing a path for me to walk as i walked upstream in a river of people. it was something so impacting that i put down my newspaper and actually looked into the faces of the people i was passing. as i watched people, many smiled at me. i smiled back. some people looked really exhausted as they trucked towards class, but others were carefree and happy. i had only walked about 10 minutes, but by taking time to focus on one task (walking to class) i was able to appreciate my surroundings instead of completely ignoring them.

why i chose this photo: this tulip was hidden among several branches and other foliage and flowers in my garden at home. i saw a small glimpse of purple among the branches, pulled them aside, and saw this beautiful flower.

question: have you ever taken a moment to slow down and observe the world around you without distraction? what did you see?

inspiration: "if you don't stop everything you're doing every now and then, you'll miss out on opportunities to grow. take a bit of time to slow down and peer into the world around you. you'll never know what you might find."