#35

#35. Long Conversations.

Sitting around, starting at one topic, which leads into a million other rabbit trails
Getting to know the one or two people in the speaking.
It's a beautiful thing.

#34

#34. Tears.

The sweet release of everything that feels so overwhelming.
It's a beautiful thing.

#33

#33. Freedom.

When you can spend days shooting guns in your backyard, laughing, and making fun of each other.
While eating insane amounts of food.

It's a beautiful thing

#32

#32. Dear Friends

Ones that you can share the deepest parts of your heart with
Without an ounce of fear.

It's a beautiful thing.

#31

#31.
Bubblewrap.

There is something about sitting and popping each bubble, one by one.
It does a lot for your soul and smile.

It's a beautiful thing.

#30

#30. a cold glass of water

Okay, maybe this is just me...
I know I don't drink enough water
but when you're super thirsty, and you haven't had any all day
then you load a glass with ice cubes and pour on some water
and drink it down

It's a beautiful thing

#29

#29. Lazy Days

When you probably have better things to do, but you don't do them.
at all.
and it's okay.

it's a beautiful thing.

#28

#28. Tiny things.

Whether it's a baby, a puppy, a tiny teapot, flower, seashell... whatever
Little things just have something about them that make you smile and feel all warm inside

so the next time you see your short friend
give them a high five!
Just, not too high.

But appreciate them
Cause if nothing else, they make you smile.

It's a beautiful thing

#27

#27. The American Flag.

I went to a political gathering today
and as we sang
"I'm proud to be an American
Where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the ones who died
And gave that right to me"

I almost cried.
It's hitting home.

God Bless America

It's a beautiful thing

#26

#26. Heartbeats.

Evidence that you're really alive.

it's a beautiful thing

#25

#25. New Journals.

Especially when they're from important people.
And especially when you have something meaningful to write in them.

Write.
Every word you have is meaningful.

It's a beautiful thing.
You're a beautiful thing.

#24

The sound of flags.

I realized this when there was a really quiet moment in church on Sunday.
A girl in front of me was waving a flag
and the sound of it was just something that struck me in that moment...

...it's a beautiful thing

#23

#23. Airplanes

Whether it's flying in one yourself, or just watching them fly overhead as you wave from the ground, there's just something wonderful about airplanes.

Being so high up in the air makes me feel closer to God.
Watching planes fly overhead reminds me of being a kid and waving down at the green plots, knowing there were flea-sized people somewhere in your eyes view.

It's a beautiful thing.

#22

#22. People watching

Ironically, this is the number of the day I was born (which is tomorrow)
And the age I'm turning, which I've looked forward to for a while.

But.
I'm sitting in a coffee shop, in a corner that I favor
I wish it was a little more hidden, but sadly, it's quite obvious.
Especially if you need to go to the bathroom, considering it's right by them.

But, I look up from my glowing screen and see
A tall man, with white hair long enough to touch the collar of his white shirt with suspenders and a bow-tie. Super adroable.
A lady reading "Interview with a vampire" and her double-chinned mouth agape and eyes wide at the shocking moment of whatever it is she just read.
A few study sessions and various tables.
Some people supposed to be studying...

I love it

I love sitting in solitude, watching people.
Makes me feel like I'm really not alone at all
in the good kind of way.

It's a beautiful thing.

#21

#21. Vacuumed carpets

The other day my roommate and I were cleaning the apartment.
She busted out the vacuum
and my feet were instantly transported to heaven!

It's a beautiful thing

#20

#20. Soft Hoodies

Especially on cold days
or rainy cold days
and when you have nothing to do but be lazy in the comfort of said hoodie

oh yeah
It's a beautiful thing

#19

#19. hand-written notes

Especially the unexpected ones :)
I was pleasently surprised with one on the bathroom mirror from my roommate the other day
It is definitely treasured.

It's a beautiful thing
:)

#18

#18. Tear-soaked sholders

I personally love it when someone cries in my arms.
Just to know they aren't alone, and that they were able to release some of their troubles

It's a beautiful thing

#17

#17. Seeing someone you haven't seen in a while

Especially if you don't expect it.
This happened yesterday. My friend who moved to Wyoming came in town for a visit. I had no idea it'd be that refreshing.
If my roommate wouldn't have told me she was coming, I probably would have cried upon seeing her :)

It's a beautiful thing

#16

#16. When it's raining while the sun is shining.

I don't know what it is about it
But this is one of the most beautiful things, in my opinion.
I love rain
I love sunshine

So this is just great :)

It's a beautiful thing!

#15

#15. Unawkward Silence

You know when you're sitting...just...sitting... with a really good friend... and you don't have to say anything at all
and it's still fun?

It's a beautiful thing

#14

#14 Realizing what you came to the store for is on sale.

Nothing like a few extra dollars in your pocket! Now splerge on that breakfast taco!

It's a beautiful thing!

#13

#13. Old churches.

This one hit me when I got to go to Europe in 2005.
The history and the traditions that fill them, it's enough to take your breathe away.

It's a beautiful thing.

#12

#12. Hearing the person next to you at church singing.

Especially when it's a dear friend of yours.
Just to hear their voice--no mask, no cover, in tune or not--singing with everything in them to the One Who created them, it really is a precious thing.
You can hear the passion in their voice, and you know that The One they're singing to has to be Someone special

It's a beautiful thing

#11

#11 Reeces Puffs Cereal

One of my favorite foods ever
(you'll see more as the days go by...)
Imagine...
Coming home from a long day of work
Filling the biggest bowl in the house...
Add some milk...

...
It's a beautiful thing

#10

#10. Pull-through parking spaces

When you get to the parking lot, find an awesome spot, just to realize you can pull through. So that way when you leave, you don't have to back out!

It's a beautiful thing!!

#9

#9. Being thanked for not being like someone else.

This is a very reassuring thing, especially for me.
I have come to realize that people view me differently then I envision them to view me. In a good way.
I try hard to be me. It's all I can be, but confidence and boldness are things I really have to work at...

So, to hear something like this...
...well...
It's a beautiful thing.

#8

#8. Feeling like you belong.

For me, it's really hard to do new things.
I deal a lot with fear, but I'm learning to overcome this...
and one of my favorite things to experience as I work towards this goal
is the feeling of acceptance.
To walk into a new place
See smiling faces
Courteous people
And be able to relate it to places I know and love.

It feels a little bit like home.

It's a beautiful thing :)

#7

#7. Long phone calls

you know, the ones where you haven't talked in months, but it's like no time passed :)

It's a beautiful thing

my phone's ringing.... :D

#6

#6. Time.

Whether it's five more minutes of sleep, the few extra seconds it takes to say a second goodbye before really leaving, writing out a hand-written letter, simply saying "I love you"...
Time is something you can't buy, and can't be recycled.
You've just got to make the most of what you're given...

It's a beautiful thing

#5

#5. Peace

You know...

*deeeeep breath...*

It's a beautiful thing :)

#4

#4. Really good hugs.

You know, those hugs that are unexpected, but really timely. Or from a person you haven't seen in a while. Or, pretty much just any hug that you can tell is truly genuine.
They can change a day that wasn't going too well into one that has hope.
Or just make a beautiful day that much more beautiful.
Because, you know...

It's a beautiful thing.

#3

#3. Your favorite song coming on the radio.

Picture it.
You're day has been a struggle to get through, you're trying not to think about anything--just don't stop.
Then all of a sudden, you hear that first cord.
BAM.
instant relief.
It's like the chords and lyrics are healing balm covering your entire being.

It's amazing how music can be healing, eh?

It's a beautiful thing :)

#2

#2 Windows

I work as a teller in a bank. It can be rather trying at times, but one of the things that gets me through is the big teller window I sit at.
I can just stare off into nothing, or observe the people that walk, bike, drive, skateboard by. I see people walking dogs, people stealing walmart shopping carts, people rolling joints and smoking them on our lawn...

I get to watch the rain. Just stare at it fall own while hearing it on the tin roof. Sometimes it blows onto the window and streaks really cool designs.

Windows are also great for drawing faces on when they fog up.

It's a beautiful thing :)

#1

#1. Sitting back and realizing the people in your life.

Ever just look around you and realize people? How they walk, how the laugh, what makes them laugh, what they do when no one's looking...
It's a rather entertaining thing to do.
With the random facial expressions while their texting, or their face right before they sneeze. Watching how they fidget.
The most beautiful thing is seeing these people in your life for who they really are, for the special thing that only they bring to the world.
And valuing it.

I did this the other night. I was at a young adults meeting I regularly attend as I just sat back and looked around at the people I'm honored to call my friends.
Seeing each of them, reach out to different people in their own special way. You could see the things that was unique to each of them to bring to this world.

It's a beautiful thing.