Tools for Transformation Tuesday: Celebrate the Little Things

I recently connected with a dear friend and fellow mama who shared she was getting ready to celebrate her daughter's half birthday. She wasn't planning an epic event - just an afternoon spent together at the pool, enjoying time as a family, and indulging in some favorite treats.
 
As we parted I recalled that early in my daughter's life we celebrated her birthday weekly. Every Sunday we would eat cupcakes and talk about how much she had grown (!!) and changed (!!) in the previous seven days. Before her first year of life was over, these celebrations had become monthly events, and at some later point, we found ourselves celebrating only once per year.
 
Recalling those early days I found myself nostalgic. I missed that period when everything about our babe was a revelation - when we could watch for hours, captivated by her every move. Make no mistake - we still dote on our daughter - but life is moving so fast for all of us that it is hard to keep up, let alone carve out time for another weekly commitment.
 
In our rapidly spinning, fast-paced lives, we rarely sit still long enough to connect with those we love, let alone honor their - or our own - growth. The last thing we need is to add another calendar item to our already over-packed schedules, but we can be more mindful about noting - and celebrating - the little things and sweet nothings along the way. Gratitude for life itself and the small joys we encounter each day is enough reason enough to read an extra book at bedtime. Or hire a sitter and schedule a date night. Or indulge in a spontaneous Sunday cupcake.
 
What can you celebrate this week?