010 Birds Singing

¡Hola! It is a beautiful day here in Bella Vista, Arkansas. You hear the birds singing across the street. I'm Kim Gaskill, and this is the Daily Spark. I'm very happy to hear the songs of the birds. For the last 3 days, I've come out on this deck and it's been silent. Now, I'm a bird person. I know not everybody is, but it's been so cold even the birds have been in hibernation, and I've missed that. I've missed that song every morning, that joyous sound that helps me put a smile on my face. And I'm thinking There's so many things that we do that with. We just take for granted that we're there— they're— they are there until they're not. And I knew something was different other than the fact that it was so cold I couldn't stand it, but I didn't realize that's what it was until this morning when I came out and heard them singing. And I immediately knew that's what was missing the last 3 days. I felt melancholy. I felt a little disjointed, like something was off. Now, like I said, I don't like the cold, so that had a lot to do with it. But the instant joy that I felt this morning when I walked out on the porch— it was a little bit warmer, it's still cold, but the birds are singing. And it made my day. What's that thing that is missing that you might not be noticing it's missing? We don't pay enough attention sometimes to the things that are around us every day that bring us joy until they're gone. So my challenge to you today Look around. What is something that brings you joy today that you might be taking for granted? And show gratitude. Pay attention. Be thankful. Come back tomorrow for another Daily Spark.