3 Ways to Find Value in Every Moment of Your Daily Life
Sometimes, daily life is so chaotic that an entire day passes without us ever remembering what we did that day.
Okay, maybe it happens a little more than sometimes.
The thing is, you know this isn’t how you want to live. But it’s difficult to navigate everything you need to do while still managing to find a sense of value and meaning in each day.
If that sounds like you, it’s time to look very hard at your approach to living, including what your priorities are and whether you’re following your heart.
But it's also about how you live in each moment. You’ll see very quickly that you can find great value throughout your life with a few small changes.
A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life.– Charles Darwin
Amid the chaos of everyday life, there is a silver lining. And it’s this silver lining that allows you to find value in every moment of your life– if you’re willing to make a little effort.
Some days will be easier than others. That will always stay the same. However, no matter what’s happening in your life, this ability to realize a sense of meaning and value in each moment is and will always be available to you.
So, how do you do it? To find value in every moment, you need to become acquainted with your “superpowers.” I call them superpowers because, while they’re not overt or flashy, they have the ability to transform you from the inside out and help those around you at the same time. Really, there aren’t many things in the world as powerful as these three principles.
1. Be present
Your first power to find meaning and value throughout daily life is presence.
Presence is a gift which is always available to you. By becoming present to what’s going on within and around you, you can find value in several different ways, from uncovering a piece of your inner dialogue to finding peace and joy in the sights, sounds, and tastes of life by tuning in to a particular sense.
Presence also allows us to give ourselves fully to those we love, offering comfort and support when they need it the most. Sometimes, all our loved ones want is for us to be there for them without saying a word. The ability to be fully present in the moment and to focus in on what’s in front of us allows us to do just that.
2. Act with kindness
Kindness is another power you can tap into at any moment to find value and meaning in daily life.
Sure, a big part of that is the impact that a little kindness can have on the world. Especially today, where hate has become more prominent and there seems to be little kindness to go around, a simple act of selflessness can transform someone in a very lasting and permanent way.
However, in addition to that, and contrary to popular belief, kindness doesn’t just help others– it actually makes you happier and might just make you more successful as well.
Whether it’s simply holding the door open for someone, paying for someone’s meal, or donating your time or money to a good cause, both small and big acts of kindness act like ripples in a pond– they remind others that good people still exist in the world, encouraging them to act with more kindness in their own life.
So, take a minute from time to time and dish out a little kindness. You’ll not only help someone else, you’ll also make yourself happier and remind yourself of the true value of every hour life.
3. Act with compassion and empathy
Kindness works like a bridge. Through action, we can connect with others and let them know that we’re there for them. However, there is a still deeper level of connection that allows us to further help those around us– including ourselves– and that’s compassion and empathy.
Compassion and empathy seem, at first, to be somewhat interchangeable words. However, there is a key difference in the way I’m using them here. Empathy is the ability to feel and understand what others are experiencing emotionally. Clearly, it’s super important.
However, compassion is much more proactive. Compassion isn’t just something you feel, it’s something which is expressed through action. It’s a kind of compulsion to connect born from a deep understanding of the other person’s pain, which is why empathy is so closely connected to it.
Compassion can be expressed through the desire to help someone heal or simply being there to listen to another without judgment. However you express it, with compassion you’re giving both yourself and others a wonderful gift: the gift of deep, meaningful connection and healing. And, like presence and kindness, compassion is available to you in every moment.
But compassion isn’t always easy. However, if you seek to find value and meaning in every moment of life, there are few experiences as powerful as connecting deeply with another human being over their struggles and challenges.
Each of the powers above is available to you in every moment. And each allows you to not only create meaning and value for others, but also to do so for yourself.
And, when you connect with others in a deep and meaningful way, you experience a feeling greater than any accomplishment or recreational activity can ever bring you. The kind of feeling that makes a lasting impression on the rest of your life: true happiness.
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.