All Things Raymond

I received a comment last night from the author of “Lighter Dark Side” and he wrote, ” It’s rare to find people caring about the small things in life, and this is what makes your blog a nice read.” When I initially read this I thought to myself, ” that was a cool comment” I then began to think about how true that statement really is. It is extremely rare to find people in today’s world that care in the slightest about “The Small Stuff” we also have different interpretations of what the small stuff really is. What is your idea of the small stuff? Is it a kind smile and a hello from a complete stranger or is it maybe the screaming sound of your kids running to you when you get home from work. It can be as small as having that trusty stick of chapstick with you at all times. No matter what the small things are it seems to be a dying tradition to really cherish and respect the small things. Think about when you were a kid and you had one of your first crushes on someone and you always wanted to do the biggest thing you could for that person or buy them the best gift ever but no matter what you do nothing will impress more than paying attention to the small things and getting something out of thought and not glamour.

We are all guilty of losing site of what really matters at some time or another. I read back over my blog after getting that comment and I realized how much all of my posts all seem to have this slight similarity and it is usually some sort of Good deed or thought of doing right by someone else. I am beginning to think that my “small things” are things that may be small actions to me but may have large impacts on those around me. Not saying this is what we should all be concentrating on but ponder how much happier those around us would be if we all just paid attention to the small stuff. Maybe your friend at work has been down in the dumps for some reason and in most cases like this that person may consciously or subconsciously make subtle comments about what it is that is causing it, but most of us go about our day and pay no attention to those small things. Even though by you listening and maybe doing one “small thing” for that person you may make a Huge difference. Lets go further than that, maybe your husband or wife has been acting different and it is due to you simply being busy and in your busy schedule you have not taken the time to see the tiny signs that they are showing that simply say, ” I need some attention.” Sometimes the small things like a hug or a simple, ” How are you?” can make a huge difference to that person.

This list can go on and on and on; But to me, It proves that some of the most important things are the “Small Things.” Lets make the cut just a little deeper now, what if we go through life only paying attention to our needs and ignoring all the small things only concentrating on what we think is important, would that be a joyful life? would it make those around you say, ” I want to be like him or her?”  A simple and easy answer to all of those questions is simply “NO”. As a society I think we look up to People like celebrities, and sports players and other “idols” of sorts. What happened to looking up to your Grandma, or your Mom, or your Aunt or Uncle maybe even a friend or even that stranger you just watched buy a homeless guy coffee and a blanket or what about the special ED teacher that gives all they have to educate people who in most cases get treated like less than people when In all reality they sometimes have a bigger heart than you and I combined. You may be questioning my thoughts right now, ” But Raymond, why would I look up to my family members or friends? They are just like me.” Well that is exactly why, they are just like you but do you not recall all the small things that they have done to influence your life and help build the person you are and the person you will become.

Take a few minutes to digest this all and then start thinking about all the small things you could be doing for those around you whether it be a smile, lending a hand, or just being there to listen to someone. Remember that sometimes the “small things” that you do or say have the largest effects on others so take the time to pay attention to life and not just over look the small things to reach big things because in that moment that you over look the small thing, someone may be down there just waiting for you to see it, in hopes that you may be that “ONE” person that takes notice of the small things in their life and makes a huge difference. As I have mentioned many times now, you may not agree with my thoughts on this topic and that is your right, if that is the case I encourage you to click that little red comment button in the upper right and take the time to ” Turn Your Thoughts Inside Out.”

Raymond