The Little Things

Every day I am reminded of how the smallest things effect others and the planet. I know I mentioned before my attempt to practice random acts of kindness and how they positively impacted those who I interacted with. Yet I see these same elements come into play every day. I am often most touched by the smallest things.

The picture to the left is part of our backyard. Lately we have had two doves that have begun to feed off of our bird feeders, which doves are not common here. Watching the birds as we eat breakfast or dinner is so soothing and in the moments in which the neighborhood cats prowl and stalk under the feeders, it can be quite exciting.

Sometimes I am touched just upon exiting the house in the morning and smelling the dampness of the Earth or seeing the beauty of the sky. In these moments I remember to feel grateful that I am alive. Sometimes it is the feel of a picked leaf in my hand or in the smile of a child. Once it was in the brightest purest gaze and returned smile of one of the "poorest" men I have ever seen. Another time it was through conversation with a blind gentleman who sometimes walks down our street. All of these events occurred through unadulterated forms and through individuals and characteristics in their "natural" form.

Funny then how often when I am touched by the majority of other people it is in an "unnatural" form. It is through someone going above and beyond their normal interaction with others. It is through watching cars stop for someone to cross the road, when someone allows another with less items to go ahead of them in line, or through the opening of a door. It is when someone who is in pain still has the ability to smile in gratitude or when a person returns a lost pet to his or her owner. Or ARE these experiences actually our natural state when we are left unencumbered by having to be and do too much? If we all slowed down would the little things be what we noticed AND what we did?

I like to believe that we are all naturally capable and wired to both participate in AND appreciate the little daily gifts of life, whether through our surroundings or with those whom we come into contact.

The little things are most worth while,
A quiet word, a look, a smile,
A listening ear that's quick to share
Another's thoughts, another's cares,
Though sometimes they may seem quite small,
The little things mean most of all.
-Anonymous