About this photo:  After 162 recordings of This Grit and Grace Life podcast, co-hosts Darlene Brock and Julie Bender know each other pretty well. One thing Julie learned early on and doesn’t seem to want to “let go” of is Darlene’s discomfort with hugging. They have even chatted with it at length on several of the episodes.  “I hate being hugged! Not sure why and it doesn’t matter from whom. I just don’t like hugs” Darlene has admitted. So what does Julie do when they are trying to get some reasonable photos? She can’t help herself, she goes in for a hug!

The Moments that Matter Are Often #filterless

Our duties in life will never end: kids, jobs, spouses and chores will aways be clamoring for our attention, our insight, our participation, our love. But the beauty of navigating it all is that we never do it alone. We always have friends, family, co-workers and even pets by our side, ready to lend a hand (or paw) when we need it and making our tummies ache with laughter along the way.

The phrase “stop and smell the roses” comes to mind. As we journey through each phase of our lives, and especially the unexpected hardships that materialize, we need to remember to enjoy all the precious moments in between. Don’t just focus on the mess your toddler made during arts and crafts; appreciate that they’re growing in their creativity. Cherish the five minutes of non-stop, crying laughter with your co-worker in the break room. Take a second to look up from your laptop and enjoy the cotton candy sunset your spouse pointed out from the window.

It’s in these small moments that we find much of our joy and show others we care. They’re not all Insta-worthy or picture-perfect, but they offer balance amid the chaos. We need to own the things that make us happy—they are what we will remember and treasure when all is said and done.