I recently had a dear friend come to me for advice, because she was feeling bogged down by the weight of her everyday routine. She could catch only a glimpse of the beauty of life, and that did not satisfy her.

But I did not feel adequate to impart wisdom, because so often I, too, feel lost in a world of stress, meetings, and obligations.

Regardless, I offered her this: As cliché as it may be, notice the world around you for everything that it is. Savor this season of life.

And when we met last week for dinner, she and I did just that. We joined another sweet friend and sat in a little restaurant, brimming with character. We ate succulent avocados and juicy sandwiches. Our conversation was real and relatable. We talked about problems and shortcomings but also about triumphs, successes, and joys.

When I recognize that dinner for all that it was, we were sisters, embracing and navigating this unpredictable season of life together. This is what it means to take notice of life. Appreciating the small things doesn’t have to be some gushy, crying affair. It happens in quite the sincerest form when the voice in your head says, “Cherish this,” while laughing with your friends between bites of avocado.

Elaine Bailey is currently a full-time student majoring in writing, rhetoric and communication. When she’s not working on papers, she is spending time with her family and friends or pursuing her passion for travel. She lives life joyfully and wishes to radiate that joy, zest, and excitement for life to everyone she meets.