Even in the busiest or stressed of times, take a moment to taste the cake

Have you ever taken a bite of your favorite food and closed your eyes just to enjoy the moment? Or felt the exhilaration when experiencing one of nature’s marvels, such as Niagara Falls?

Usually, I can slow down and savor the moment no matter where I am. However, there are times when I have been too busy or too stressed, or maybe even too upset to do so, and then I let the wonder of the moment pass me by.

EXCITEMENT, APPREHENSION AND JOY

During my residency in Boston, I was excited for many reasons: working with the team at Brockton and West Roxbury VA Medical Center, finding new experiences in New England, and enjoying my off time. My husband David and I were committed to taking advantage of every moment and touring the entire Northeast. We saw the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on the 4^th of July. We visited historic battlegrounds, Salem, Plymouth, and followed the ride of Paul Revere. We drove to every lighthouse we could find (I love lighthouses), and when fall arrived, we drove the scenic Mohawk Trail to see the leaves change.

Before we knew it, winter came and my excitement turned to apprehension: Having never driven in snow before, I was worried. After the first snowfall, I asked David to drive me to work, and I will never forget this one moment. Instead of staring at the traffic, I looked out at the trees and saw what had been in front of us all along — a beautiful winter wonderland. Truth be told, tears welled up in my eyes as I took in the beauty. I realized that in all my anxiety, I almost missed the joy.

A DECEMBER TO REMEMBER

The Jasper family spent this past December doing something we will never do again. We celebrated our daughter Allison’s wedding and our 30^th wedding anniversary, both in one month. I didn’t know what the events would be like, but I did know they would be awesome. Even though such celebrations can be overwhelming, I stopped and tasted the wedding cake. I watched with wonder my baby girl walk down the aisle, and I visited and thanked all at the reception who traveled and cancelled patient appointments to celebrate with her.

I also stopped and remembered the good times in my last 30-something years with David and was reminded how the bad times brought the best times, as we faced them with determination and grit.

‘TASTE’ THE BEAUTY

As we start 2023, I hope you will join me in really “tasting” the beauty around you. Let yourself see in your family, your patients, and your friends the wonderful uniqueness they bring to your life and embrace their differences. We don’t know how many moments we will have, and I refuse to let them slip us by without enjoying the goodness they bring. Bring your family with you into these moments of joy, and I promise those moments will get you through some of the tough ones. OM

Email: april.jasper@pentavisionmedia.com

Twitter: @DrAprilJasper

Facebook: @OptometricManagement