The Little Things
by Solo Greene Throughout our walk in life, there are times when we expect and want great things to happen, and, most of the time, they come and go, and they are far in between. We spend so much of our life and time waiting for these great things to happen that we overlook or look beyond the small things that happen or come along in our life daily. The reality is we take a lot of things for granted. We don’t appreciate or acknowledge the small things that we have or that come along our way, yet the small things are the things that keep us going. The small things are the things that give us hope and faith. If we didn’t have these small blessings, gifts, or rewards, what would motivate us, keep us going, or give us purpose? A while back after 911, I received an e-mail and a list of reasons why some of the people survived the attack and are still here today. One of them, the head of a company, survived 911 because his son started Kindergarten. Another one was alive because it was his turn to bring donuts. And yet another one was still alive because her alarm clock didn’t go off. There were many small things that happened that day that explained why people were late, missed work, and are here today. Another example of appreciating and acknowledging the small things are when teams or athletes win the World Series, Super Bowl, NBA Championship, or individual sports or events. It isn’t winning the title or coming out on top that makes it so great. It is all the small stuff like the time, energy, effort, sacrifice, and commitment that a person or a team puts in to win that title or championship that makes it so great or rewarding. Another quote that I read said, “Big shots are only little shots that keep shooting.” Michael Jordan didn’t even make his high school basketball team, but he didn’t give up or quit. He put in more time practicing, and he worked harder. He did all the small things to make himself a better player, and, today, he is one of the greatest players to ever play the game. Larry Bird or the “Legend,” as he is called, is another great example. He wasn’t fast, couldn’t jump, or didn’t have a lot of the athletic ability as other NBA players, but he did all the small things to be a great player. He took thousands and thousands of shots from all over the basketball court. He worked hard at blocking out, being in position on defense and seeing the floor. Don’t get me wrong, he was a good athlete, but he did all the small things exceptionally well. A lot of these people didn’t become successful or who they are today over night. It took time and hard work. Many of them worked their way up from the bottom. They had to do what they had to do, and they had to accept and appreciate all the small things that they had and all the small things that they have accomplished.Michael Jordan and Larry Bird are prime examples of how the small things are the important things. This also reminds me of a quote I read a while back that said, “Children do not ask about our ability or inability. They are only concerned about our availability.” They don’t ask for much. They only want our love, attention, and time. These are small things that have a BIG influence. It seems too simple, but just think what our families, households, community, tribe, nation, and world would be like today if we accepted, appreciated, and acknowledged all the small things that we have or come our way daily. Some of us are here today because of the small things that someone else has given us or has done for us. One thing that we have to remember is this: Great opportunities seldom come, but small ones surround us every day. In closing, life is what we make it. We can wait our whole lives for something great or something big to happen, or we can accept, acknowledge and celebrate the small things. Luke 16:10 of the Bible says, “He who is faithful with little will also be faithful with much.” We want the big things, but we must first be thankful for the small things. God Bless! Bending gaily
Her four-year-old torso, Picking up So gently A fuzzy wuzzy Black and yellow Banded Woolly Bear Caterpillar, Holding outstretched arms, Eyes clapping, Hands cupped, Cradling Her fuzzy-wuzzy Symbol of future Transformation, Lifting gently and then... Kissing the Fuzzy Wuzzy, Experiencing The blistering, the stinging, Of a fat lip. Who would have guessed? Black and yellow Woolly Bears Have poison in their Fuzzy-wuzzy little needles. “Set it down carefully, and let it go.” My statement, My response to swollen eyes, Shock and surprise And the now twenty-year-old tears Of an experienced Addict. Gordan R. Livingston |
Volume 1
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