Seeing your surroundings through new eyes

One of the biggest perks of becoming a parent is the opportunity to see the world through new eyes. Life is just more fun with everything is approached with an enthusiastic smile or wide eyes. For those of us who are not currently housing an adorable baby or toddler what other ways can this child like wonder and curiosity be infused in our own lives? 

Invite someone along to do something you frequently do.

Now this invitation can be for brunch, a walk or something as random as snowshoeing, but the key element is the addition of another person. A couple weeks ago we invited my Dad to head to the mountains with us for a morning of snowshoeing. The combination of a slower pace, his newness to the sport and our role as tour guides combined to create an enriching experience.

We lingered longer at the lake, and enjoyed the wind whipping up and swirling snow about us. We were able to explain different things about the area, share tips on traversing hills and how to best pull yourself out of a tree well. As my Dad sipped his hot chocolate he pronounced it was one of the best hot chocolates he had ever had. Little did he know, the addition of his presence had provided us a unique opportunity to share something we love with others and more importantly see it through new eyes. 

The biggest perk of a new year is the fresh perspective it can bring. This year I am committed to being more present, less preoccupied and more enthusiastic about the routine things I do.