A Moment of Gratitude

Moments like these are sometimes hard to find. Those beautiful perfect moments where you are so present and grateful to be right there, right then, that before you know it tears are brimming at your eyelids. And it's even more incredible when those moments come unexpectedly. Sometimes I find myself expecting those awestruck times to come staring at a sunrise or a mountain, and those do occur, but when it's an ordinary day and you're suddenly so paralyzed with gratitude, it's beautiful.

That was my night. Clear skies, a balmy breeze, surrounded by thousands of people at a concert I wasn't even excited to see. Working country music festivals for five years now, I don't usually stay to see the shows unless it's an artist I truly love; but the crew was doing load out and my ride wasn't leaving for an hour so I wandered over to the stage to catch Keith Urban.

There was just something about his show, his energy, his pure, child-like love for what he was doing that was contagious. It's so rare to see an artist play as if it's their first show and radiate gratitude for what they get to do.

Something about it made me reflect on my own place in that moment. I took a deep breathe, and turned around to see the crowd, the Daytona 500 track, the glow of the ferris wheel and I became overjoyed with the life I get to lead. Here it was, the end of another festival, three days of hosting, dj'ing, and teaching line dance. My legs were jello, I was covered in a sun-burn and cowboy-boot-shaped heat rash on both legs. I was exhausted and it was pure bliss!

Today is Memorial Day and I am overcome with gratitude for the men and women who have served so that I get to live this life enjoying concerts, traveling, and celebrating life. I am overwhelmed with the blessings in my life and the God I have come to know as pure love. It's moments like these that make every not-so-great moment beyond worthwhile. This is life at it's fullest and all I can say over and over again is "thank you".