What a wonderful world.

​Today was the definition of a perfect day in Logan.

​With it being so nice outside, I decided to set up my hammock in an area with lots of trees on campus. After sitting down, I began to notice everything around me. The trees were a fiery yellow. The wind blew fallen leaves across the grass below me. The sky was a stunning, continuous blue. I was overwhelmed in gratitude and almost in disbelief over how perfect the day was.

After sitting still and enjoying the setting, I decided to read some of the things I brought with me. I read some scriptures and some articles from the weekend newspaper. Eventually, I ended up finishing one of my favorite books, Coraline, for the third time.
 
(Have you read Coraline? If not, I highly recommend it. I highly recommend it, even if you have read it. It probably deserves its own dedicated post one day. Alexa, remind me to write solely about Coraline one day.)
 
At the beginning of the book, Coraline is convinced her life/house/situation must be the most boring and mundane thing in existence. After some terrifying experiences, Coraline makes it home again. Because of her experiences, she has a new outlook on her life, though.

“The sky had never seemed so sky, the world had never seemed so world. . . . Nothing, she thought, had ever been so interesting.”
 
At the end of the book, there was a Q&A with Neil Gaiman, the author. Gaiman was asked, “Are things really magical, or do you make them magical by believing in them?” His answer stood out to me:

​“I think most things are pretty magical, and that it’s less a matter of belief than it is one of just stopping to notice.”
 
How often do we miss the magic in life because we’re waiting for the grand finale instead of enjoying the rest of the show?

I know I do it way too often. I get caught up in the day-to-day routines of life. I do what needs to be done, but I don’t take time to notice the miracles around me. Those little screens (you're probably reading this on one) keep me from experiencing all this life has to offer. Every day, there are moments of magic that pass me by because I'm not looking for them.

This world is too awe-inspiring to just trudge through.

Let’s try to notice the magical parts of our lives this week.

Take a deep breath as you're going to work or school and notice the smells, sounds, sights, and people around you. Try eating a meal where you simply enjoy the food instead of scrolling through social media or reading a news article (even if the meal is nothing more than top ramen). Have a conversation with someone you haven't met before. Notice how you feel and acknowledge your emotions.

That's when life will begin to feel magical.