Our days really aren’t typically made up of/inhabited by BIG THINGS. But in staying alert for them, do we miss the little things? Do we not see what’s directly in front of us, a kind of miss seeing the forest for the trees kind of thing? Sometimes I think we miss seeing the trees because of the forest… Regardless, the need to see and appreciate the little things that happen every day is as critical to good mental health as is being involved in the Big Things.
Let me ask the same question in a different way… what inspires your day? What excites or challenges or brings joy to the average, typical day? Do you see? No one can see exactly what you see even when you are looking at precisely the same thing(s). The important aspect is the mutual sharing of what is seen. I remember, when I was a kid, I enjoyed looking at clouds with my friends and seeing nature in them – we’d see and point out various animals or objects and it was always a delight. What delights your days now?
If every day is repetitive, you are quickly going to be bored or restless or both. This may be a poor example but I remember, again when I was a kid, of making the decision to look for something significant in every sermon I heard. The Pastor, a really nice person, was terrible in his sermonizing. But with this mindset I always was able to find some nugget. Sometimes, when our days seem repetitive, we need to have the mindset of discovering a nugget.
There’s a scripture that talks about not despising the times of small beginnings that also applies here. We don’t need every day to be filled with huge ‘things’. But we do need to be able to see what is in the day and to enjoy the little things. This often means having the mindset of discovery. I can guarantee you that if you do see the little things… you’ll never miss the Big Things.
…but, what do you think? what do you believe?
