Finding wonder in the little things
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| Troy Moth |
I am not one of those people.
One critique leveled at me this week (by someone who knows me very well) was that rather than take pleasure in the small things, I would rather sit those out and instead plan for the big things. For the across the pond trip to Europe, skiing in South America, horseback riding in New Zealand. Taking an immersion language course, a round-the-world bookstore tour and someday running an ultra-marathon.
So I dream pretty big. Do I ever get there? Maybe not in the timetable that I always aggressively set out. Or not at all. Life - and the other little things - gets in the way. And sometimes dreams are just that - dreams. But I ask you, what's so bad about wanting that 'knock your socks off Grand Canyon' type experience? What's the fault in acknowledging (and not taking for granted) those little things but setting aside the adjectives "amazing" and "brilliant" for things that truly make your heart glow bright?
We may be accused of letting life continually push us forward at an ever quickening pace but what if it's only moving forward to bigger and better things?
I love your perspective. I am one of those people that find the beauty in the wonder in the little things… probably a bit too much as I often forget to plan the big things. And when the time comes that I am forced to do this big things, they terrify me! I guess we should all try and find a balance between the little things and the big things (if that makes sense)??
ReplyDeleteI say let's go for it all . . . enjoy the little things while we work toward/await the big things!
ReplyDeleteIf I am in a bad mood, I can't appreciate the little things either and won't find happiness in them. I like to dream big as well but sometimes I feel it is too grand and I will never accomplish what I set out for, which can lead to frustration. I'd definitely would go horseback riding in NZ with you...
ReplyDeleteI think it's good to do both, yeah? Dream big yet still find pleasures in the little stuff. I don't practice this myself most days, but I'll try:) I say keep dreaming big even if you don't get there. As they say, you might not hit the moon,but you'll still hit the stars...or something like that:)
ReplyDeleteI'm totally with you. dream big. dream bigger. doesn't mean you can't enjoy the little things, tho, does it? but I think I know where you're coming from. hearing about the little things all the time, everywhere, it almost makes you feel guilty for wanting more, doesn't it? and you definitely don't want to talk about... well, maybe that's just me. but still. go for it. dream BIG!!!! and I hope to meet you on your book store tour around the world :)
ReplyDeletexxx
And maybe all those people write about the little things because they don't dream for the bigger things. I say keep dreaming!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that you should dream big!! Makes life exciting and fun. But it is a special talent when you can find excitement and joy in the little things. :-)
ReplyDeletehonestly i think it just depends on where you are at in life. i wished i would have followed my big dreams better before having kids (totally would never take them back, no regrets, blah blah blah) but that was the time to do it. there will a time for that in the future too : )
ReplyDeletei still dream big now but if that's all i focused on i'd be miserable and a terrible parent. at this time in my life if i don't enjoy all the small things life with pass me by without my being aware of all those little things that make up the biggest thing of all . . . my life, who i am. i also think focusing on the little things with a bigger plan in mind helps you truly find what you desire and enjoy. it helps shape and formulate the big dreams. and really the world needs both types of people so you dream however you want xo
I'm sorry, but I don't believe you. Yes, you dream big and plan for big moments, but you do enjoy little things. Cookie butter. The moment a grandpa introduces his granddaughter to sriracha. I could go on, but the point is you have room for the small and the big...and it's not a flaw to pursue grand experiences.
ReplyDeleteI think the greatest thing is that there´s room for both big and small dreaming - isn´t that mix what life´s about?! :-)
ReplyDeleteI find it hard to believe you don't find pleasure in smaller things like reading a good book {you wouldn't read them if you didn't enjoy them, would you? Perhaps you just don't realize this is happening.
ReplyDeleteI think I do both but these days am enjoying more of the smaller things while planning my big 6-12 month trip around the world that will happen some day in the future, a fantastic new job, and perhaps a new, nicer place to live. I feel like if I only enjoyed the larger things then I wouldn't be very happy.
Also, the Grand Canyon isn't that far away from you, is it? You can go in April! I went when I was probably 11 or 12 and it was beautiful there. Just don't stick your fingers in any of the cracks in the walls on the way down.
This is an interesting observation! Sometimes I am better at the bigger picture too, but *most of the time* I am able to refocus myself on the small things too. Definitely food for thought. Great entry.
ReplyDeleteTrust me, even those who regularly appreciate the smaller things lose sight every now and then. Nothing wrong with dreaming big.
ReplyDeleteI agree to this very well, Rooth! I dream big dreams as well and I don't even care if it's almost five years that I haven't achieved it but I still hope one day somehow I could achieve it. Maybe not fully, but at least experience something like it. I guess dreaming big dreams make me appreciate the little things that somehow are connected to my too big dreams. :P
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely nothing wrong with dreaming big, in my opinion!
ReplyDeleteRonnie xo
It's interesting to read this right now as I'm feeling pretty useless and restless. Like I'm not doing enough, accomplishing enough, contributing enough. Just stuck. And I'm not even sure what my dreams *are* right now, much less how to accomplish them.
ReplyDeleteHow's that for cheery? Not. ;)
I think we gotta find the philosophy and life outlook that's right for us. Pushing yourself towards bigger and better things may be horrible and stressful for someone else. And enjoying the little things may be boring for you.
ReplyDeletePS. I got a lot of the anon comments that you have up above too. I turned off anon commenting.
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There's nothing wrong with dreaming big. I do it all the time. :) However, I know what you mean though... I've been told the same thing. I've made it my goal to be more mindful this year. It's tough -- but definitely rewarding. Maybe I can be both mindful / appreciative of the smaller things... as well as be a big dreamer. :)
ReplyDeletei like your theory on the big things!
ReplyDeleteI can so relate to this. I too, am a big dreamer. And almost never accomplishing or realising my dreams, it's tempting to think that it's all for nothing. And sometimes, I'd like to just be able to enjoy the small things life has to give, but I always end up dreaming big again. Guess it's just the type of people we are.
ReplyDelete:) I love the way you write.
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