24 Feb All This for Me?
A long time ago, when we thought nothing of standing in crowded groups (mere inches from others), our family went to a parade at Disneyland. People were holding balloons and waving streamers and magic wands in the air. Far in the distance, we heard music and saw the beginning of the parade inching toward us. The crowd erupted in excitement.
Just then, a little boy ran into the middle of the empty street. Seeing people waving and hearing joyful music, a big smile grew on the little boy’s face. As people waved their wands and streamers, the little boy began to skip and wave as he walked a short distance along the parade route.
I think of this little boy and his bursting happiness – the way he looked into the crowd and waved as if all the streamers and music and excitement were solely for his entertainment.
Wouldn’t that be a different way of looking at the world? If we saw the beauty that surrounds us as gifts for our enjoyment? We might notice the way a beautiful flower bloomed just for our eyes to see or breathe in the sweet smell of orange blossoms that filled the air just so we could smell them.
And maybe, if we found ourselves in the middle of a parade, we might smile and wave and say, “All this for me? You really shouldn’t have… but thank you.”