The Little Things In Life

It has been years since I last visited Buffalo and had time to explore. This time, I chose to go back to where I attended medical school with my family. We decided to go to Niagara Falls.

When I was a student, I probably visited Niagara Falls three to four times. I thought it was a very touristy thing to do, and I did it because it was a must-do item on most everyone’s list for visiting Buffalo. I did not think too much of the Falls because I used to live about 30 minutes south of it. I thought I could always go – but I did not. Days, weeks and years went by in a flash. It was then time to leave the Buffalo area and start a new chapter of my life after graduating medical school.

This time, I decided to journey through the natural wonder. I chose to do this as a family. We got up early in the morning, and signed ourselves up to be in the first tour group to trek through the Cave of the Mist. There I learned that Niagara Falls is the very first state park in the nation. The majestic waterfalls were once abused by factories. Some people who appreciated the natural beauty of the Falls rallied and fought to “free” the Falls. They were the heroes who admired the grandiose scene of roaring water taking the plunge. It was their high regard of the Falls that saved the Falls for generations to admire.

As I walked underneath one of the most powerful bodies of water, soaking wet despite wearing a disposable poncho, I cherished this nature’s gift. I paused and let myself immerse into part of the waterfall. While enjoying the magnificent natural phenomenon, feeling the beating of water against my head and legs, I could not help but wished I could have paused and experienced this wildlife wonder sooner.

Instead of taking many things for granted, I have decided to appreciate things around me, anything big or small. Like the rainbow I saw with the clear blue sky as the backdrop this morning. Or the ease of finding parking in a busy city. Even the regularity of bowel movements. I do not wish to cherish those things only when they are gone. Simple things like spending unhurried and quality time with my family are for sure things I cherish.

I invite you to look closely for the tiny things and the little moments in life. Be appreciative of what you have and what you can create. Experience the positive fuel ignite in you as you embrace seemingly ordinary things in life to luxurious experiences you do not want to live without.