When we made the decision to move to Melbourne, Australia, we decided we wanted to live close to the beach. The house we moved into is right across the street from the bay. At first I found myself staring out the window more than normal, in awe of the beautiful water, watching the cargo ships, seeing the activities outside as intriguing as a television show. Our shower has a window that looks right out onto the water, and for the first few months I felt as if I was in an exclusive hotel, I would look outside and remind myself how lucky I was.

This feeling has faded over the past eleven months. It is normal for that phase to wear off, to get used to your surroundings and to take things for granted. I find that I have become complacent amidst all this beauty, so I wrote this as a reminder to myself:

When looking out the window, really look out the window. See what is out there, and remember that the blue water, the sand, and the palm fronds blowing in the wind will not always be in your view. Every morning you look outside and see people running by, cycling past, walking towards the water in Speedos, and it doesn’t phase you anymore. It is just part of your day – before putting the coffee on you look outside to see what’s going on. But I don’t think you even see how amazing it all is anymore. Yes, we are on the opposite side of the world, away from everything we have ever known, but at the same time we are here. In this beautiful place where people come to take vacations. This is your home for only a short time, so really take a look and see what is out there, across the street.

Before you know it you will be back in America, where the grass is green, the squirrels run up the trees, and the vibrant colors of the fall leaves make you wonder how you lived without it for a few years. There will be snowmen to make, friends to see again, shopping centers to peruse, favorite foods to eat again. It’s all going to go by in a flash, so appreciate this time, and just take everything for what it is.

Don’t huff and puff while waiting for your coffee to be made, while thinking “Dunkin Donuts is so much faster, I can’t believe how slow these people are!” Enjoy your surroundings, smile at the little girl sitting quietly with her parents as they have a leisurely Saturday morning breakfast. Enjoy the smells of the fresh baked muffins, listen to the sounds of people talking, laughing and rustling the morning paper. Why are you in such a hurry anyway? Slow down. Take it all in, because you will not be living here forever. You know the famous saying “stop and smell the roses” so stop, bend down, close your eyes and take a deep breath of the world around you.