I’ve been reading a book written by Melissa Michaels called “Dwelling: Simple Ways to Nourish Your Home, Body & Soul.” Melissa encourages her readers to purposely pursue well-being and wellness in our homes and within our bodies.
She suggests it will bring a sense of peace, comfort, and belonging to your home and helps a person to be healthier and happier. What I’ve observed from this inspiring book is that the quality of our life is equal to the appreciation of the little things. It is also about being consistent in small ways which will add up to big results.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, author of “The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes,” once said, “It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important.” Meredith Allady suggests, “...there are an enormous number of very pleasant things that happen to us throughout the day, that we accept as being nothing out of the common way, and thus do not regard: not realizing that the very fact of their being so 'common' is in itself a blessing of the very highest magnitude!”
I’m convinced that if we would learn to appreciate the “common,” our lives would be richer, deeper, and fuller. We have so much to be thankful for yet we tend to take the common things in life for granted — sights, sounds, smells, feels, and tastes. The chatter of birds in the morning, the golden glow of the sunrise, the freshness after a rain, the brush of a lover’s hand, or the mouth-watering deliciousness of home grown raspberries and ice cream can all be missed if one is too busy, too distracted, or too selfish.
We also have the power to improve or inspire our lives by taking small steps. Consistent small steps towards a goal eventually lead to the goal realized. There are so many ways this can be incorporated into our lives such as working out, writing a book, or renovating a house.
Relationships benefit from the little things as well. A pat on the back after a meal, opening the door for a spouse, an “I love you,” thinking ahead to what would make things easier for a family member or a co-worker, bringing a flower or a doughnut home or to work, a word or note of appreciation, or an act of service are all ways that can build stronger, more meaningful relationships.
A little bit of time and effort also makes a big difference. Byron Roman, a young man from Arizona, decided to clean up an area that was covered in litter, taking a ”before” and “after” picture with all his garbage bags in front of the finished result. The #trashtagchallenge has since gone worldwide. Many people have got on board to make a difference in their area, one piece of litter at a time.
The Word of God encourages us to not look down on the little: “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin...” It also warns of the dangers of ignoring the little things in our marriages: “Catch all the foxes, those little foxes, before they ruin the vineyard of love, for the grapevines are blossoming!”
We can take Luke 16:10 to heart... “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.”
Let’s purpose to take notice of the “little” things in our lives and we will begin to see big results.
Scripture references: Zechariah 4:10, Song of Solomon 2:15
