Love Where You Live

Two weeks ago, while hiking with my dad, Tommy, and Brad in Bryce Canyon National Park, we talked to a very kind family from The Netherlands. My dad, being much more well-traveled than I am, said, "Your country is so beautiful!" The mother of the family gestured around us, and said, "My country is beautiful? Your country is beautiful! We do not have anything like this!"

I stopped to look around for a moment. I had been enjoying the scenery, but all of a sudden I was stunned by it. I don't think the U.S. is more beautiful than The Netherlands (I've seen pictures, it's amazing), but it is jaw-droppingly, breathtakingly beautiful. I forgot how amazing Bryce and Zion National Park are because I had been there multiple times. But, my repeated visits hadn't worn out their beauty, it only made me less observant of it.

I've been thinking more about that principle since then. Too often I spend my time wishing for some experience, circumstance, or scenery different from my own (I am particularly prone to travel envy). I keep forgetting how beautiful my life is, simply because I've grown accustomed to it. I have become complacent about my blessings.

Not Bryce Canyon National Park, it's Cedar Breaks National Monument, but still pretty great.