As the sun sets below the horizon, the sky undergoes a stunning change. Fiery oranges, deep magentas, violet blues, and rich indigos merge, filling the sky with breathtaking hues.
In those few moments, the world feels different—lighter, somehow. The burst of color cuts through the heaviness of the day, reminding anyone who looks that even in overwhelming moments, beauty finds a way to break through. The glow is brief, but its impact lingers.
The evening air was sharp with cold, the kind that nips at the edges of awareness. In the midst of a restless walk, questions looped relentlessly: What’s next? What if this doesn’t work? What if it does, but it’s still not enough?
In that moment, the sky, with its raw and vibrant colors, held everything still. The weight of everything else faded, if only for a brief pause. It was in that pause that something shifted. A sense of presence emerged, reminding me and any other spectators of a truth often forgotten: the importance of noticing.
Why Noticing Matters
In times of uncertainty, it is easy to focus on what’s wrong or what’s missing, falling into a spiral of negativity. This response, known as negativity bias, helped our ancestors stay alert to danger. However, today, it often increases stress and prevents people from noticing the small moments of good around them (Baumeister et al., 2001).
Barbara Fredrickson’s broaden-and-build theory introduces a different perspective. She argues that emotions like awe, gratitude, and joy do more than enhance well-being—they expand thinking. These emotions play a key role in building resilience, helping individuals bounce back from challenges and stay steady through adversity. In moments of awe, strength surfaces, and a sense of equilibrium is regained, shifting focus from what is missing to what is already in place.
The sunset didn’t erase the doubts or fears, but it stirred something deeper. It served as a reminder that, even in the darkest moments, good things remain.
Where the Good Hides
The good isn’t gone; it’s hidden in the small, often overlooked moments of life. It is there in the steam rising from a cup of coffee, the crisp crunch of leaves beneath footsteps, or the brief wave from a passing neighbor. When stress takes over, these moments slip into the background, unnoticed and undervalued. Yet they persist, reminding us of what truly matters.
A few weeks ago, the weight of endless emails, looming deadlines, and unspoken expectations felt overwhelming. While walking outside, sunlight filtered through the trees, scattering golden light across the sidewalk. It didn’t resolve the chaos, but in that brief moment, it provided a much-needed pause. The weight of the day, still present, shifted.
Research supports this. Sonja Lyubomirsky’s (2007) studies reveal that lasting joy often emerges not from major accomplishments, but from small, everyday moments: sinking into a favorite chair, hearing a familiar laugh, or feeling the rush of a song that stirs a memory.
A friend once shared how, during a tough year, she began writing down three things she was grateful for each night: her dog’s wagging tail, the scent of rain, sunlight warming the kitchen floor. Initially, it felt forced, but gradually, those small moments of appreciation began to shift her perspective. What had once seemed ordinary started to hold deeper meaning. Gratitude doesn’t erase life’s struggles, but it changes how they are carried. It shifts the focus, making the weight feel a little lighter.
How to Practice Noticing
Noticing the good takes time and effort. At first, it’s not easy. With practice and consistency, especially during tough times, it begins to grow. The more it’s practiced, the easier it becomes. Start small—step outside, even for just a moment.
Focus on the details around you: the way the wind moves through the trees, the rhythm of your steps, or the scent in the air. When something stands out, take a moment. Let it settle, even if it seems fleeting.
Some days, noticing can feel impossible. The goal isn’t to force it, but to develop a habit of paying attention. Over time, those small pauses build, offering a sense of perspective when it is needed the most.
The Joy of Sharing
One of the unexpected gifts of noticing is the joy of sharing it with others. A friend once sent me a photo of a sunrise—soft streaks of pink and orange stretching across rooftops. Her message was simple: “Thought you’d like this.” She was right. That small gesture served as a reminder that the good is still here, even when it is easy to forget.
Since then, sending these moments has become a practice—whether it is a photo of changing leaves or the way light falls just so on the pavement. A small act, but one filled with meaning. Sharing it is a way of saying, “This mattered to me, and I thought it might matter to you, too.”
Noticing doesn’t just ground—it connects.
An Invitation
The good is already here, waiting to be noticed. It won’t erase the weight of challenges, but it can shift how they are carried. Step outside. Look around. Notice the sunlight filtering through leaves, the distant hum of a lawnmower, or the way rain dots a window. These moments won’t fix everything, but they can provide a sense of steadiness, offering the strength needed to move forward.
References
- Baumeister, R. F., Bratslavsky, E., Finkenauer, C., & Vohs, K. D. (2001). Bad is stronger than good. Review of General Psychology, 5(4), 323–370. https://doi.org/10.1037/1089-2680.5.4.323
- Emmons, R. A., & McCullough, M. E. (2003). Counting blessings versus burdens: An experimental investigation of gratitude and subjective well-being in daily life. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(2), 377–389. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.84.2.377
- Fredrickson, B. L. (2004). The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 359(1449), 1367–1378. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2004.1512
- Lyubomirsky, S. (2007). The how of happiness: A new approach to getting the life you want. Penguin Press.
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