It’s the little things

I was reading a book I’ve been meaning to for some time – I saw it online and have kept in on my desktop for almost a year. I knew it was worth my time as soon as I saw originally, and so saved it. But I never made the time for it.

Ever do that – see something that you know is good for you but just never quite get to it ? It might be today’s plan to exercise or eat right. It might be that compliment that you want to give to your significant other as you know it’ll make their day. Telling your kid that you love them, or even sitting down with them and playing their game, or discussing their topic.

I had some time on my hands today, and so elected to do some of these things. And this book – it’s full of little nuggets of wisdom and gold. Wonderful stuff that’s soul candy. Here’s a sampling:

“We are the strivingest people who have ever lived. We are ambitious, time-starved, competitive, distracted. We move at full velocity, yet constantly fear we are not doing enough. Although we live longer than any humans before us, our lives feel shorter, restless, breathless... Dear ones, EASE UP. Pump the brakes. Take a step back. Seriously. Take two steps back. Turn off all your electronics and surrender over all your aspirations and do absolutely nothing for a spell.” – Elizabeth Gilbert

“Everyone has their own private Mount Everest that they were put on this Earth to climb” and “Power is never given, Power is taken” – Hugh Macleod

I’m clearly pleased with the decision I made to spend time on this, and I feel rewarded in this investment I’ve made. But my point in bringing this to your attention isn’t to gloat or brag about having that time or finding this. Rather I wanted to ask you to do something for yourself today. Doesn’t matter what it is – but it should be rewarding to you on a personal level.

Why ?

Because no one else will do it for you, and you shouldn’t feel cheated or hard-done by if you don’t ever get this kind of little token of appreciation. You should feel responsible that you are attending to a need you really do have. We need to eat, and we need to consume water, we need shelter and occasionally, we need to get a pat on the back. Our managers may not have remembered to tell us "good job" today (wonderful though if they did), and our relationships may not have resulted in some small compliment. That’s ok though, as you can take 60 seconds and reward yourself for making it another day.

Don’t go overboard, and understand that the end result will be someone who is infinitesimally happier and more likely to pass along the benefit to another.

That’s why.