Why I Always Notice the Quiet Moments
There’s a time in the morning in our house known as “BC” — Before Coffee. If a spoon goes in the wrong drawer or the wrong number of bowls comes out, we laugh and say it’s just because we haven’t had our first cup yet. Coffee first, then the rest of life.
Maybe you know what I mean, those small moments that shape how we see the day.
The Art of Just Being
Most days I’m indoors, but when I do get outside, something changes. Walking the dogs, taking my daughter to the park, or just catching a few moments of sunlight, these little pockets of the day are when I notice the real stuff.
The way shadows fall, how my daughter’s face lights up when she spots a butterfly, the sound of leaves rustling when there’s barely any wind.
It’s not about grand gestures or perfect photo ops. It’s about showing up and paying attention. Of course, I don’t always get it right, distractions are easy to come by, and sometimes I need to just stop, take a breath, and notice the small things again.
When Light Becomes Magic
Golden hour is my favourite time of day. The way the light spills across everything feels like a reminder, so much beauty is tucked into the everyday, waiting for us to slow down enough to see it.
For me, it’s also a glimpse of God as creator. Sometimes it feels like He’s showing off, painting the sky and casting light across the landscape just so, the way morning or evening sun hits a hill, a tree, or a field, bringing out colour, contrast, and texture. Those moments when the ordinary becomes extraordinary, bathed in the right light.
Soundtracks for Ordinary Days
I’m usually listening to music, and my taste is all over the place. From The Slow Show to Linkin Park, from Phil Wickham to Kendall Payne, I enjoy a bit of everything. Some artists I come back to again and again, others I dip into for a track or two.
Music has a way of making ordinary moments feel bigger, more meaningful, or just plain fun.
When I sit at the piano or keys, it’s another way to be fully in the moment, no agenda, just playing. Sometimes the best melodies come when you’re not trying to write anything at all.
The Greatest Privilege
And then, there’s the biggest joy of all, watching my daughter grow up.
Being able to spend these years with her while working from home is a privilege I don’t take lightly. I know not everyone gets that chance, and I’m grateful for every single day with her.
She’s teaching me things about presence every day. The way she stops to examine a ladybird, how she finds wonder in the most ordinary things, her excitement over puddles and dandelions. Kids don’t overthink moments, they just live in them, and watching her reminds me to do the same.
Finding the Real Stuff
All of these things keep me grounded in the quiet moments; faith, coffee, light, music, and family. They’re little reminders to slow down and notice what’s right in front of me.
Maybe that’s why I’m drawn to noticing life, not in grand gestures, but in the real stuff. The moments that happen when we simply show up and pay attention.
Here’s what I’ve learned from all those golden hour walks, piano sessions, and morning coffees: the quiet moments are often the ones that end up meaning the most. They’re the ones that feel most like us.