Do you realize that every day is amazing?

In today’s society with the constant onslaught of awful and wearying news, it’s very easy to get worn down and not see the wonders around us. Let’s explore some goodness…

Every day you awake, you have an entire and amazing day before you. Yes, we have our habits of getting to work (or not), eating, getting home, eating and, then, whatever you do to finish the waking hours. The drum beat is pretty much the same, and we may not notice all that’s around us offering beauty or wonder. Interrupt that habitual pattern of life and look around you. Maybe you’ll notice some small act of kindness.

A story was told to me by one of the staff at my favorite coffee shop. A customer purchased a cup of coffee and before she could enjoy a sip of it, the coffee overturned. I can feel that customer’s emotions: anger, exasperation and…dang it ( I cleaned up that last part.). The customer went back into the coffee shop, ordered another cup of java and was informed the last customer had just left a perk’s card that was to be used to give the next customer a free cup of coffee. I am not sure what karma was working there, but it’s an amazing story of anonymously helping another person through a bit of a tough moment.

I read an uplifting story about a policeman who was on duty on Christmas Day. A family saw him working, and the little girl of the family told her parents that the policeman deserved something for his duty. Shortly thereafter, the little girl walked up to the officer and gave him some cookies. It’s a story that, in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, could be easily missed. However, I remember the kindness of it and expect the officer was amazed at the family’s generosity. A small of act of kindness is amazing!

In case you are unaware of this, I have tasted just a few wines over the years. Yes, just a few! What always amazes me is, that, even when tasting an old wine friend, the taste of the liquid always amazes me. It’s like running into an old friend and you are both surprised by the encounter. They will amaze you with their stories, and you will probably amaze them with your new stories. The old friend wine is always waiting for you, and it always wants to share its story with you, too.

It’s been a tough few months in Minnesota. I am amazed how my fellow Minnesotans came together to face the hatred and brutality of the recent weeks. I am amazed at the solidarity of my fellow Minnesotans and stand proudly with them.

It would be easy to go on about the amazing aspects of life. You’ve read or heard this many times, but when one door closes, another door opens to give you access to new and exciting possibilities. We just need to reach for that new door and walk through it. Life never stops offering us amazing features.

May you never cease being amazed.

As always, eat and drink in moderation, but laugh with reckless abandon!

Cheers!