don't miss it all


this morning after karate, i made blueberry scones. i was standing at my kitchen sink looking out the window, and the sky was a bright, robin's egg blue splashed in a smattering of puffy white clouds. golden sunlight came down in shafts, igniting large, sugary snowflakes that swirled and bent with the ebbing breeze. i was spellbound standing there at that window. 

i couldn't help but think, standing there with the sun on my face, "oh man, what matters more than this? this is what everything is about." 

now. the present.
that moment. 

snow and sunshine and the warmth of the kitchen, my goodness...we miss so many of the most beautiful moments, always reaching for the big and the grand...mmm, but we overlook the gentle rhythm of life, the very breath in our lungs. it reminds me of this quote:

"men go abroad to wonder at the heights of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motions of the stars...and they pass by themselves without wondering."

so often we miss so much. we lose the things that truly make up life in the rush of the rapids, in the constant rush. we pass by ourselves without wonder. we overlook others without wonder. we don't get giddy over snow anymore. we don't close our eyes to breathe deep the scent of fresh baked scones. we don't smile simply because the sun is on our face.

often we live for the promotion, or the whirlwind trip, or the next big project. yet, in doing this we miss so much - we miss life. so many beautiful things slip through our fingers. yes, the "big life events" can be wonder-filled...but honestly, when we slow down and breathe and listen...when we unplug and take a walk in the woods, or tip our faces to the night's sky to watch the stars, or simply embrace someone we love, we are reminded that these - oh these things are the stuff of life. These are the big things. these are the wonders of the world.

we are wonders of the world.


sometimes i find myself just standing in my driveway, spinning and staring up at the sky, barely able to keep my eyes open for the brightness of it all; the glory of this big spinning ball of ocean and earth and sky. 

we have starry nights here. we have quiet, sun-soaked afternoons here. we have the patter of rain on the roof. the crunch of freshly fallen snow under warm, woolly boots. we have forests of towering trees and screeching hawks and coyotes and owls that fill the nights with song. ohhh, glory we have wind too - wind that runs her soft fingers through our hair and kisses both our cheeks like she hasn't seen us in ages. we have mountains! and we have rolling fog and gusty blue-gray oceans. we have poetry and we have campfires. we have music. we have have blankets and pillow forts. we have fireflies. summer skies. bike rides and playground swings. 

we have so much wonder all around us. we have so much wonder inside of us.

oh, please, don't miss it. don't miss it all. you've probably heard that expression "don't miss the forest for the trees" before but you know what? don't miss the trees for the forest either. don't go so fast and look so far ahead all the time that you don't come close and touch that rough red bark, or breathe deep that fresh cedar wood or notice the soft green moss or see the tiny spider's webs laced with glistening dew. 

and don't miss the wonder that is inside of you either. don't miss it. 


stay stoked!
kate
don't miss it all
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  1. If I could wrap myself in this post, I would. <3 The way you word everything is beautiful, not to mention the ever important message.

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    1. OH MY GOSH, THANk you *so* so much, Evangeline! You words mean so much to me <3 have a lovely weekend!

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  2. I just want to live in this post. It's so lovely. <3

    p.s. i'm convinced you're the cutest forest fairy to ever grace the planet.

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    1. AHHHH THANK YOU SO SO MUCH, GRACE ANNE. AND *YOU* ARE ONE OF THE MOST INSPIRING PEOPLE TO EVER WALK THIS EARTH, SO THERE'S THAT

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    1. I'M SO GLAD!! thank you for sharing, Ivie <3 have an incredible week

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  4. Oh my gosh, Kate, you are absolute magic. Love your stellar soul and the beautiful words you paint like poetry across this space! This perspective is EVERYTHING. It's taking the time to slow down to notice the world that God has given us and the daily wonders that can make a bad day better or a good day great. I love this and have a feeling I will be returning to read it when I need to be reminded again. <3

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    1. oh my goodness well SO ARE YOU, ERIN! Your words mean so incredibly much to me you have no idea :') and i could not agree with what you said more...it's so important to slooowww down and just BE. human BEINGS not DOINGS <3 much love my friend

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  5. Why do you always write the most compelling, timely posts? I’m knee-deep in winter myself, and seriously, I need to get better at being present in my everyday instead of always looking to what I need to accomplish later, or what next step is tomorrow.

    thank you for the reminder.
    k.

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    1. !!!! well, Keira, I am so incredibly blessed that this post was a timely and meaningful one for you! i can completely understand how you feel...staying present is seriously an every day practice & some days are easier than others. i hope this week is full of "just BEING" moments for you <3

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  6. Amazing. I sit here in socks as warm as a fox, half warm half cold coffee, soft piano songs playing, and wearing a ring of a bird. I think that in this moment I am happy that I am content. That I would rather be happy in a little moment like this than search for something that might not even be there. The ocean may make some happy but what if it doesn't give me what it gives others? What if I am just meant to sit in this moment as happy as can be.

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    1. "That I would rather be happy in a little moment like this than search for something that might not even be there" WOWWWWW I'm going to have to quote you on that, V. You are pure magic. keep on keeping on, my friend. love you!!

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  7. Oh boy, this was so timely. And beautiful <3 Thank you for such a gently convicting reminder! Loved it <3

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    1. !!!! I am so so happy that this post could encourage you, Jeanette! Your comment made me smile.

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  8. Yes yes yes yes this is beautiful!! Also karate and scones are two very great things. I approve. :)

    Nabila | Hot Town Cool Girl

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  9. I love taking long walks on days where I don’t want to miss the little moments or when I’m at home with my kids who are so loving and comforting. Little moments are so precious thanks for your reminders some days we forget to just breathe and observe and watch the world unfold before our eyes. Peace and good vibes
    Cecilia

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