It’s The Little Things

A Facebook friend yesterday pointed out something I hadn’t thought of in a long time but which is having a significant effect on me lately.

Small and simple things wield immense amounts of power.

If you doubt that think about the following:

• A small shard of glass stuck in your foot
• A sliver in your finger
• A paper cut
• Sand in your eye
• A kidney stone no bigger than a grain of rice
• A pebble in your shoe
• A mosquito
• A single hair in your food
• A drop of ketchup on a white shirt
• Spark from a spark plug
• One single flame on a candle
• An apple seed
• A hairline fracture
• The rudder on a large ship

In “The Hobbit,” Gandalf says, “Saruman believes it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I found it is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.” J.R.R. Tolkien knew his stuff didn’t he?

Some of the most powerful aspects of my life are small and simple everyday things.

• A hug
• A smile
• A handshake
• Thanks expressed
• A wink
• A short prayer
• An apology
• An offer of help
• A note of encouragement
• Laughter
• A phone call
• Tears
• A plate of food
• A text
• A loaf of bread
• An email
• A shared meal
• A letter in the mail
• Condolences
• A glass of water
• A cool washcloth
• Concern
• Caring
• Love spoken

It’s amazing how a few small things make the difference between a dark day and a day filled with rays of light breaking through the clouds.

I’m lucky to have so many sources of light willing to shine for me. I hope I can likewise be a small light to others in some small way, every single day.