“Think big thoughts but relish small pleasures.” ~H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Why do we daydream?

Because it feels good to think about a future “better” state, to ponder the things we want to accomplish or contribute.

It feels wonderful to dream about winning the lottery, for example. If you’re like me, simply thinking about the possibility—what I would do with those kinds of resources!—makes me smile out loud.

Smiling out loud is an expression of joyful gratitude.

But, some people live in a future daydream so persistently that they can miss the delight to be found—that same feeling of joyful gratefulness—in the small daily pleasures mined from the mundane of everyday life:

• A fresh, crisp apple
• A small child’s unrestrained laughter
• The green of the tree in your back yard
• A dog’s exuberant ball retrieval
• A vibrant rainbow after a storm
• A good friend’s smile

Life is rich with such small pleasures.

Some days, it might take more effort on your part to notice them.

But they’re there.

Spend too much time in the future and you’ll miss them in the present moment.

And the present moment—this one, right now—is the only one that matters, the only one you’ve got hold of.

So think your big thoughts, dream your big dreams, just not at the expense of noticing and appreciating your now.

“With gratitude, optimism is sustainable.” ~Michael J. Fox