By Joseph J. Mazzella

The cable went out this afternoon. I could see through my bedroom window the white trucks parked next to the pole and the cable guys working on the line.

I didn’t mind too much, though. With all the channels I had on my television I rarely found something I wanted to watch. I put an old DVD on for my sons, retired to my bedroom, and put on some old records for myself. I lay down on my bed while the music played softly, picked up and old book, and began to read. Before long my old, gray cat snuggled into the crook of my arm and purred quietly. I began to scratch her head with one hand while I held my book with the other.

Suddenly, I felt a pressure on my bed. I turned my head and saw the furry, smiling face of my puppy, Fluffy. We had rescued him almost a year ago, and with good food and lots of love he had grown from 4 to 64 pounds. He leaned down his head and gave my chin a good licking. I laughed, put my book down and scratched his tummy. With both hands busy I couldn’t read anymore, but it didn’t matter. It was one of those moments of pure peace that make our days here better. It was one of those moments in which life made sense.

In this modern world we all seem so rushed and busy all the time. There doesn’t seem to be enough moments of peace. There doesn’t seem to be enough moments of kindness. There doesn’t seem to be enough moments of love. There doesn’t seem to be enough moments of joy. But it is these moments that make life worth living. It is these moments that make Earth more like Heaven. It is these moments that bring us closer to God and to our true selves.

Embrace these moments every chance you can then. Make time for them. Welcome them into your heart and soul. Do all you can to create them in your life. Choose to fill your days with moments of peace, joy, kindness, and love and help others to do so as well.