Regarding the Little Things

When it comes to human interactions, the little things count for so much and I have no doubt we’re all missing that in some way or another. Whether a smile, hug, compliment, touch of a hand or act of kindness, little things matter because they so often define our experiences, leave us feeling a certain way and create a memory we carry forward. 

Technology is great and I know we’re all using it more than ever during this pandemic to stay in touch with those we love and care about. But we’re also probably learning the shortcoming of the medium since so many little things – a breath or sigh, subtle body language or the energy of being with someone in person – get lost in the signal. Our human connections are one of the most sacred endeavors of our human experience. And though technology can enhance those relationships, we see that they could never be a substitute for them.

Plus, we fight the distraction of the burning question on everyone’s mind when on Zoom or Skype…is this person wearing pants or not (or is that just me)?

The little things matter and we’re seeing so many positive examples of generosity, encouragement and kindness in the face of fear that shouldn’t be overlooked. As one of my heroes and teachers, Mr. Rogers said: in times of trouble look for the helpers. When we focus on finding them, we do! And that shows us a behavior to emulate, a level to aspire to, during this challenging time. A little girl down our street has been posting things in chalk on the sidewalk since all this started (see pic) and each time I see her messages, I feel a little boost – and during times like these, we can all use as many as we can find.

Little things matter. When Alan Greenspan was the Federal Reserve Chairman, a media outlet reported that he was recovering well from having had surgery for “an enlarged prostitute”. So close.