Turning water into diamonds...

There are little things, little moments each day that bring pure happiness into our hearts. They are the moments that are often passed by or are even easily forgotten when we don't pay close enough attention. These are the moments that help us make it through when there are inevitable rough patches but they are also the moments that make each and every day incredibly special.

There is a quote from Paulo Coehlo's book The Alchemist that says something to the effect that: when all your days start running together and each day seems the same as the next, it is because the person has stopped taking the time to notice all the good things that happen in their life on a daily basis.

With my 9 year old cousin at the beach a few days ago, there was beauty evident all around us, but my cousin showed me something even more special that I would have never found on my own.

She showed me how to turn water into diamonds.

While wading through the ocean waves, she cupped her hands and with the slightest movement threw the water into the air. I watched and saw as the arc of water droplets turned into "diamonds" before my eyes. With the sunlight glistening over the water, each droplet produced a tiny rainbow and shone as brightly as a diamond.

I think kids have this innate ability to find the beauty all around them and as adults, we sometimes need to be reminded.

This is a lesson I've learned before, but that I have been reminded of time and again while spending time with my family in Venezuela.

God has blessed me with so many of these good moments and I am so grateful for each of them.

So my unsolicited advice for today...
Catch your breathe, and close your eyes. You are here in this moment, and there is beauty all around you.  Maybe turn some water into diamonds.