Small Great Things
I recently read the book The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. It was easily a five star read for me for many reasons but mainly because despite dealing with sensitive topics including an almost suicide, the book delivers a sense of hope. If there is anything our world is starving for at the moment, it’s hope. Without a doubt. Of the many quotes from the book that have stuck with me since reading, one has played on my mind again and again. “Never underestimate the big importance of small things”.
You see, there have been many times when it has been seemingly small things that have been the boost I needed to keep pushing through. While I believe I present as a rather outwardly happy person, my inner life isn’t always so bright and sunny. My own thoughts can be worse than any bully I’ve encountered – of course the only target of those nasty thoughts is myself. I have a knack for belittling and questioning and doubting myself. Even as I sit writing this, I can’t help but question why I bother. Do these words I write really carry any impact? Do they deliver the hope, encouragement, and love that I so wish to express? More often than not, I’m not sure.
But then I remember the days when the little push I needed came in the form of a silly meme from a friend. And I am reminded that something the sender may not have given much thought too at all was an honest gift to my hurting heart. Truly, there have been so very many days when I felt close to burn out, when I sat in my sadness or felt the ache of loneliness and the thing that bolstered my energy was a song, a joke, a message, a call, or even a smile. As tiny as these things may seem, they have made me feel seen, known, and valued. They serve as little reminders that somebody cares. And sometimes that’s really all we need – to know that we are not alone.
These times of isolation and overwhelm are so hard on everyone. As much as we have to be grateful for (which is truly so much), we were not built to be islands set apart from one another. We were made for community. Truly, in these times when we best love each other by physically staying apart, we need to do all we can to support one another from a distance. I know as well as anyone how easy it is in times like this to withdraw – to fall into television shows, or books, or sometimes unhealthy means of escape. However, I’m challenging myself and you not to pull away. Instead, I truly believe that now is the time for small great things.
I noticed that I was in a bit of a phase where I could go days without hearing from anyone outside of my family. And when I reflected on that, I realized I had grown terrible at checking in or touching base with my people. So I did a little experiment and I posted a silly game on my instagram stories. And when that one went over well, I posted another. Within 3 days, I went from having little to no communication with people to having many messages and the feeling of engagement with friends and acquaintances. This tiny thing gave me something I have been missing – connection. From the responses, I’m guessing this is something many of you have been missing too.
Sometimes something silly takes just enough weight off in times of stress that we can breath again. Sometimes a beautiful song is all we need to remember that the world isn’t all ugly. Sometimes a message from a friend provides just enough light that we don’t feel so lost in the dark. My loves, if you think of someone, by all means let them know…even if it is in the form of a meme. My experience has taught me that sometimes the people who have made the most difference in my day or my week didn’t set out to change my world, they just set out to make me smile. You truly never know the power of your small things.
It is my intention to lean toward connection. It is my goal to pour all the love I have into the small things until we can get back to the big things. It is my deepest desire that each of you would know that you matter, that you are not alone – even in isolation, and that you are deeply loved – exactly as you are. Finally, it is my hope that you would join me in finding small ways to care for your people and that you would know the importance of these small great things.