I was talking to someone today about “Perfect Moments” and thought it might be a good time to re-post this blog from what feels like a moment ago- which was honestly 2 years ago. So you may have read it before but it’s a great reminder to us all to notice Perfect Moments. Enjoy!
Perfect Moments… I love them. Those moments when time stands still for just a moment and something is etched into your memory.
I first became aware of Perfect Moments when I read “Chasing Daylight” by Gene O’Kelly. It is an AWESOME book that I highly recommend. I started noticing them more and realized I have them many times a day- if I just pay attention.
Yesterday I felt so busy, as I usually do on Mondays. I am at home with my boys but also preparing for my week of work ahead of me. My 5 year-old wanted me to play Indiana Jones with him with his Nerf guns. I almost said, “Let me get a few things done first”. But instead I took a gun and began shooting! I am so glad I did. We had a perfect moment when I “shot” him with the rubber bullet and my 18 month-old about fell to the floor laughing. I just stopped and listened to his laughter for a second. It was so funny. Just pure, hearty laughter! I thought to myself- “Ah! A perfect moment”.
That made me start to think about perfect moments. I realize I have them all day long. When I come home from work and both boys come running to me and scream at the top of their lungs, “Mommyyyyyy”!- that’s a perfect moment. I have one when I check on my boys one last time before I go to bed and they are quietly, peacefully sleeping without a care in the world. I have one when I open my eyes for the first time in the morning and though I am tired and don’t want to get up, I thank God for another day to be alive. Then when I roll over in my bed in and kiss my husband’s cheek and thank God for another day with him- that is a perfect moment.
Sometimes we can create them and sometimes they just happen. Do you live life aware enough to notice them? Do you let yourself get away from your schedule enough to create them? It makes life so much worth living. Seems to give more meaning and purpose to another hum-drum day. Have a Perfect Moment today!
Natalie Chandler, MA, LMHC is a therapist at Imagine Hope Counseling Group. Natalie enjoys doing marriage counseling, individual counseling, and couples counseling. We also specialize in family counseling, child, and adolescent counseling. Imagine Hope serves the Indianapolis area including the surrounding areas of Carmel, Fishers, Noblesville, Westfield, and Zionsville.
“Perfect Moments” reminds me of a description given in the TV Movie Go Towards the Light when the mother was describing those moments you never forget that are precious as “pictures our heart takes”. It’s a moment that is forever captured but belongs only to us as no one experiences that moment exactly the same way we do.
Remember one night sometime last year when things had gotten rather stressful again and in the usual hassle of getting the kids to bed they begged for a youtube vid of a song they both wanted. Normally I would have declined and motioned them off to bed with complaints grumbled, but for whatever reason that night I said OK and brought up the vid. I’d never heard the song before and it struck me as ridiculously silly and by the time we had played the video three times both my children and I were giggling and laughing together in a priceless moment of shared joy with each other.
Hmmm maybe I need to take time to review that photo book in my heart of perfect moments more often.
Hi Natalie,
I recently re-read Steve Jobs 6/12/2005 Commencement Address at Stanford University. The quote that hit me ties in again with the book Chasing Daylight.
Steve Jobs said, ” Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.”
In Chasing Daylight, Eugene O’Kelly learned that he only had 90 days to live. Like Steve Jobs – he said it was a blessing to know that he would die soon, and he learned how to plant “Perfect Moments” into his mind and focus on them instead of his illness. Then he set out to make the most of his relationships and life until the end.
From a recovery standpoint, the book Chasing Daylight has really helped me to focus on the “Perfect Moments” in my life instead of constantly re-injuring myself by dwelling on “less than perfect moments” from my past. And it has also made me more alert to the incredible Blessings in my life (every day!!).
Thanks for helping me learn to do this Natalie. I am always grateful.
Jim, That is amazing (regarding Job’s). So true- thank you for sharing this with us. And you are welcome (for helping). Have a full of Perfect Moments Day!
Btw- aren’t you the wonderful person who gave me this book?
Debbie, Thank you for your comment. I love the idea of the a “photo book for your heart”. Great way to look at these moments! No pun intended