30 Days of Happiness, Day 17: My Own Piece of American Beauty

It's hard to stay mad, when there's so much beauty in the world. Sometimes I feel like I'm seeing it all at once, and it's too much, my heart fills up like a balloon that's about to burst... And then I remember to relax, and stop trying to hold on to it, and then it flows through me like rain and I can't feel anything but gratitude for every single moment of my stupid little life...

-American Beauty-



I shot this video the other day as the sun was coming through the blinds in Charlie's room just perfectly. Charlie is always excited by his mobile, but on this particular day, as it swung around and around and made beautiful light patterns on the walls, it rendered me speechless.

There really is so much in this life to be grateful for. Especially when you see rainbows and light when you least expect it.

I think it's particularly important to take stock of what's important on a day like today, the 8th anniversary of 9/11. I have never been to New York, but the events of that day really did change me. It was a wake-up call.

I'm still awake. And always aware that tragedy can strike at any time, but always aware that the little things are so much of what makes life worth living.