While on a morning hike in the Colorado mountains, I had a moment where I had to stop to catch my breath.

I couldn’t catch it on the move like I can at home. The my burning lungs and the elevation forced me to stop.

At first I was annoyed. I felt like I should be able to walk without stopping.

But I spun around to see the aspen trees, mountains, and sun staring back at me.

It felt like God took my breath away so I could actually appreciate His creation around me.

How many times does my mentality to “keep going” stop me from enjoying the beauty around me?

How many times do I interrupt a beautiful moment with Kevin or the kids to return to my to-do list?

How many times do I forget to acknowledge the new baby deer eating the plants on my morning walk?

I needed this reminder.

Part of me believes my Hashimotos was the culmination of all the times I didn’t stop to catch my breath in the past.

So now I sit here, staring at the mountains, grateful for the reminder to catch my breath.

-Brittany