The Significance of Little Things
Recently I viewed the following video on Facebook. It’s quite remarkable how a small gesture, a kind word, or helping someone can seem like a little thing. But we really don’t know how significant it really can be.
One time on our anniversary we were eating out in a favorite town of ours in Cannon Beach. We often go there to celebrate or just to have some summer fun.
On this particular evening we observed a young couple who were very engaged with each other. They didn’t look needy or poor, but both my husband and I felt compelled to pay for their dinner anonymously. Why I am not sure. Did we see ourselves in them? Were they really needy and spending precious money on a date night? Or was their something for them to learn or experience by us blessing them.
We will never know, and that is perfectly okay. We did not do it for any rewards. We did it because we were impressed to do so and we felt joyful about it.
Little things matter -click to view video
Then I read a short article in Your Achievement Newsletter that I thought tied in very nicely with this video and the significance of little things.
Zig Ziglar On Blessings
A little thing can be enormously significant. Retired Brigadier General Robinson Risner was a prisoner of war in North Vietnam for more than seven years. He was in solitary confinement for five of those years. He suffered from cold, heat, malnutrition, and lack of fresh air.
He was totally deprived of any human comfort. He jogged in his cell by the hour. When he became so frustrated he had to scream, he stuffed his underwear into his mouth to muffle the scream. He would not give his captors the satisfaction of knowing his frustration.
One day, in the depths of despair, General Risner lay down on the floor and looked all around his small cell. He put his eye next to the cinder blocks, hoping that there would be a crack in one of them. Fortunately, there was a minute opening and he saw a single leaf. Later he stated that seeing that evidence of life outside was a tremendously uplifting and life-changing event.
When I heard this story, most of my complaints in life suddenly fell into context, and I resolved to be more appreciative of the many blessings I had instead of complaining about what I did not have.
Fact: A quiet glance around you will reveal many blessings that you have already received and will continue to receive. Expressing appreciation for these blessings is a winning approach to life.
Would you agree that little things do matter, that they can be enormously significant.
Purpose to notice and do those “little things”.
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Yes! I agree. Early this morning, as I glance at the window, I saw a bird pecking on the berries and I thought how lovely it is to see every detail of nature and life every day. Even the littlest things count. A smile can make wonders especially if its from the one you love. Thanks for sharing this wonderful thought.
Angel Collins recently posted..Holiday Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffers
Wherever I go somewhere (store, gas station, gym….) I constantly look for a chance to complement the staff. It may seem like a small thing from my point of view but to them is HUGE, I can tell. My complement is always sincere, I don’t make up stuff.
I love calling stores asking for the manager and leaving a sweet feedback to a employee who just served me.
great feeling!
thanks for the share
Akos
Part 1
Akos Fintor recently posted..Power of Outsourcing | Odesk | Why? Not!
Awesome! You are definitely a great person and bless many along the way!
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An impressive share, I just given this onto a colleague who was doing a little analysis on this. And he in fact bought me breakfast because I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love reading more on this topic. If possible, as you become expertise, would you mind updating your blog with more details? It is highly helpful for me. Big thumb up for this blog post!
Yes, it’s so important to appreciate our many blessings. No matter what the situation, as the Vietnam POW story illustrates, we can find the smallest thing to be grateful for. I’m going to tuck this story away in my mind for the next rough time I come up against.
Steve-Personal Success Factors recently posted..10 Acts of Kindness To Change the World