Do you ever just stop for a second and listen? When you’re near a group of people you love, do you ever stop and hear how lovely they are?

Often, when I’m alone in my room, I hear my roommates bustling about the shared living space through our thin walls. 

Sometimes, I hear someone moseying about the kitchen and rusting through the refrigerator, slinging a backpack onto the table or fighting with our stubborn front lock. 

Sometimes, I even catch their luminous conversations – all three energetic voices overlapping: “Oh, I’ve just got to tell you,” “Dude, today was crazy,” “You are not going to believe this!”

I love their laughter and their tired sighs and their exclamations. Their voices always make me stop to smile before FOMO pushes me out the door to join in. 

Or do you ever just stop and watch? Maybe you’ve loved the tired mix of hardworking faces at a late work meeting; maybe you’ve loved the movement of celebrating strangers at a neon-lit party.

I am blessed with joyful and chaotic family get-togethers – tears of laughter moistening breathless and giggling faces. Whenever I’ve been away, and I’m immersed in that again, I always watch it in happiness, shock and gratitude. 

If it’s been a while since you observed and loved people for their perfect chaos – including yourself – try it today! 

Spring is signaling its arrival with muddy puddles and not-so-green grass, but the courting cardinals don’t seem to mind the mess, and blue violets will pop up like sour candies from the dirt. 

So, maybe spring’s the best season to celebrate messiness alongside renewal, the disorder and noise that comes with having too much to love. 

Through thin walls or wet socks, I hope that perfect chaos makes its way to you this spring. You’re a fantastic, messy delight for the senses, and you deserve the gratitude.