Embracing the Little Joys in Life

I often get so caught up in the big things that I simply forget to look at the tiny ones that may seem insignificant.

Recently I had the amazing opportunity to mentor a group of girls at a summer camp. Spending a week with these campers made me remember all of the small things that bring me so much joy and realize that it's not always the big things in life that make us happy.

Growing up spending a week at camp was the best week of the year! I would argue it was better than Christmas, and many would agree!

It was this group of girls' first time attending summer camp and for many their first time away from home for more than just one night. The week was spent fishing, boating, zip-lining, and doing many other activities.

At the end of the week, as my campers packed their bags with tears in their eyes, I asked them "What their favorite thing was about camp?" It wasn't swimming, zip lining, or trying something new; it was meeting lifelong friends!

As someone lucky enough to know people from the time I can remember who have the same disability, community is something I have taken for granted. For many of these girls, this week was their first time being exposed to other people who have the same disability and go through similar things.

Who or what do you take for granted in your life?

How can you show appreciation for those things or people you take for granted?

The weather wasn't great throughout the week, which required plans to change and shift. This group of girls never let dampen their fun. While they might have been sad for a moment the next moment they were making each other laugh over seemingly nothing or making shadows with a flashlight and truly embracing every moment.

How can you make the best of unexpected situations?

How can you learn to embrace the what is?

This group of girls reminded me of one of the biggest concepts that I have learned that comes with living with a disability: different doesn't have to mean bad. Different is beautiful. I am living a completely different life from the one I might have had if I didn't have a disability. Nonetheless, it is a beautiful and fulfilling life.