It's the little things.

Lately, I'm struck by all the little things, that in the end shouldn't matter much but become so consuming that we can see little else. These things of all shapes and sizes present themselves in a number of ways in my life, but I see it as well in the lives of those around me, the media, politics, etc. For me, it most often presents itself in the form of illness, money (selling my house), work, and self-image. I get caught up in these things all the time, so I know how easy it is to fall into this trap.

It is easy to judge someone else and say that they have it so easy or that they make poor decisions, and that's why they are in the such and such position. It is hard to say, this struggle is just one small part of my life and that what I am going through now does not define who am, who I will be, or even how I need to interact with others. Why is it so easy to be selfish and so hard to be self-less?

We say things that hurt, we complain about the little things, and we don't think about how these things we say and do hurt the ones we love and sometimes people we don't even know. Part of it is human nature to protect ourselves but a lot of it is driven by our society. We live in a society that is always wanting, desiring, and seeking, but I have experienced society that is just the opposite. People will give their last dime to make sure that a need is fulfilled, that not one be left behind. When circumstances do not allow them to give more, they survive on less.

It is the little things; not just the little things that hinder us from looking past ourselves but the little things that lift others up to feel loved, needed and appreciated. A simple gesture, word, or deed can go so far in making someone else have a good day. Everyone has bad days, but don't let the bad days outweigh the good ones. Make it a good one for someone else; it may even make it a good one for you in the process.