Book excerpt: Are you the kind of person who notices the small and not-so-small events that occur around you as you make your way through life? Or do you put your blinders on and try to go through your day checking off the to-do list? What if, instead of just moving through your day, you found a moment to stop, notice, and ask yourself, "What can I learn from this?" So I've Been Thinking is a series of stories about everyday life experiences. Although we are individuals, at the core of our being, we share the same pride in our families, traditions passed from generation to generation, and the ups and downs of life. There is an unseen web that connects each of us together. While reading, you might find the corners of your mouth begin to rise; perhaps a laugh will slip through, or a tear will slide down your cheek. Although the details may be different, the daily lessons we can gather from even the smallest interactions can be very similar. Each of the tales in this book is taken from the experiences of the writer, with the permission of her friends and family. Of course, everybody recognizes themselves. Yet every reader that picks up this book will find the story or stories that were written just for them. This is not a self-help book. However, it is a book about life: yours, mine, and ours. While reading this book, the writer hopes that you will discover new ways to cherish your life and find moments filled with joy.