esteemed.

I wrote this for publication in San Joaquin Magazine a couple of years ago. I was reminded of it last night as I was reflecting on how many new things life has thrown at us at this time. Life is weird, and changed, and…hard right now. I pondered if we were losing sight of the things that matter.- the simple but fundamental things. We need things to ground us, things to lean into and grab hold of, things that we can celebrate, things that we can appreciate. Thus, I give you my list of twenty-five things I think are important not to lose sight of right now, and to seek out when given the opportunity… twenty-five things I want my kids to hold near and dear…twenty-five things I believe we should hold in high esteem.

1. wisdom.

In this digital age, we invest in knowledge, but we lose sight of wisdom. Our elders are the keepers of generations of wisdom. May we never cease to learn from them.

2. kindness. 

Speaking of wisdom, Jean Jacques Rousseau once said, “What wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness?”

3. hope.

We hear often, “Hope for the best, expect the worst.” Well, that isn’t hope at all. Hope is being able to look at our world with all the joy and wonder of a child.

4. courage.

The world rewards risk takers, yet courage is not just physical bravery. Courage can take shape in endurance, mental stamina, innovation, and resistance. True courage requires the element of wisdom.

5. passion.

Passion satisfies a vital spiritual need- the need for connection. Opportunities for passion are everywhere. Sometimes they’re quiet, and sometimes they speak loudly. Passion is the feeling we get when we are tune with something larger than ourselves.

6. trust.

When we withhold trust out of fear or cynicism, our humanity starves. 

7. gratitude. 

The Thing is, people aren’t hardwired to be grateful. And, like any skill worth having, gratitude requires practice. 

8. thunderstorms.

Thunderstorms are a celebration of both the passion and power of nature.  

9. saying “I Love You”.  

The best way to say “I Love You” often has little to with the words. Live your love.

10. saying “I’m Sorry”.  

Being human means we make mistakes. Having humanity means saying sorry when we are wrong. “I’m sorry” allows others to heal and cleanses our own souls.

11. afternoon naps.

Ah, the afternoon nap. The domain of preschoolers and the leisurely, naps are all too often considered a luxury or a sign of slackery, but napping might possibly be the one time of day we can be at peace and still with ourselves.

12. music. 

Music can heal the soul. It has the power to create inner peace and harmony.

13. holding hands.

Robert Fulghum says it best, “"And it's still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out into the world, it's best to hold hands and stick together."

14. home.

Home isn’t a place to stay. It is a place to be. A place we can most truly be ourselves.

15.  contentment.

Contentment is a sweet, innermost matter of the heart. True contentment is an inward peace and calmness of soul no matter what kinds of trials and sufferings may be happening on the outside.

16. curiosity.

Curiosity is a gift. A gift we each can share. Harvesting it is simple: wonder, play, pretend, and live in the moment. Curious minds are imaginative and playful.

17. sunrises. 

No matter what today brings, tomorrow gives birth to new. A sunrise is a new beginning, an awakening. 

18. faith. 

Faith is a substance but it is not physical. It is the substance of things not seen, the evidence of things hoped for. It is spiritual and non-tangible in that we can’t hold it, feel it or taste it. Faith is so beautiful because it is the thing that makes all things possible.

19. a good book.

A good book doesn’t just entertain; it leaves you fundamentally different. It inspires you. It changes your attitude.

20. the smell of a new baby.

That fresh, slightly sweet and immensely satisfying scent of newborns is breathtaking.  New moms alike will admit to taking long, greedy sniffs as they cradled their bundles of joy in the dark. Perhaps, the smell of a new infant is the smell of life, which speaks of innocence and vulnerability, less often found in the adult world.

21. family dinners. 

Gathering together at the table is more about family than it is about dinner. Family dinners are about the setting, the aromas, the flavors, the tastes of generations before us, and connecting to our ancestral roots. Family dinners force us to slow down and enjoy the people we love.    

22. old dogs. 

Old dogs have soul in their eyes. They have beauty, dignity, and character that speaks of the long life of service they have given. Old dogs are wonderfully selfless.  

23. memories.

The older memories grow, the more valuable they become. Memories help us to manage time past, enhance time in the present, and provide continuity and meaning for times to come.

24. romance. 

Romance has a different hue for all of us and that’s unique to humans. Relating to one another is how we connect to our true self and purpose in life. Romance, whatever that means for every one of us, is the cornerstone of a good intimate relationship. Through being truly romantic and creative you have the chance to ignite that eternal spark over and over again.

25. milestones. 

We owe it to ourselves to recognize our milestones, to commemorate them, and to use them as an opportunity to reflect on and further our personal growth.