Seven Wonders of the World

I received an e-mail forward this morning that reminded me to be thankful for the things in life that are often taken for granted.

A group of students were asked to list what they thought were the present "Seven Wonders of the World." Though there were some disagreements, the following received the most votes:

1. Egypt's Great Pyramids


2. Taj Mahal


3. Grand Canyon


4. Panam a Canal


5. Empire State Building


6. St. Peter's Basilica


7. China's Great Wall

While gathering the votes, the teacher noted that one student had not finished her paper yet. So she asked the girl if she was having trouble with her list.

The girl replied, "Yes, a little. I couldn't quite make up my mind because there were so many."

The teacher said, "Well, tell us what you have, and maybe we can help.

"The girl hesitated, then read, "I think the 'Seven Wonders of the World' are:

1. To See
   


2. To Hear
   


3. To Touch
   


4. To Taste
   


5. To Feel
   


6. To Laugh
   


7. And to Love."
   

The room was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.
The things we overlook as simple and ordinary and that we take for granted are truly wondrous!

A gentle reminder -- that the most precious things in life cannot be built by hand or bought by man.

Even as I was reminded to be thankful, I noticed one interesting exclusion. The only one of the five senses excluded from the second list was the sense of smell.

Smelling isn't the dramatic sense of sight, the ready sense of touch, or the constant sense of hearing. It is the sense that complements taste to make tantalizing the aroma of fresh bread, home-made cookies, and hot ham. It is the sense that warns us of fire and noxious fumes. And, at least according to some claims, is the sense most closely associated with memory and emotion.

"Wake up and smell the coffee."
"Stop and smell the roses."
Appreciate your sense of smell.