APPRECIATE THE LITTLE THINGS AND COUNT THE SMALL SUCCESSES

By Karlene Stewart

Apr 17, 2017

APPRECIATE THE LITTLE THINGS

In life we make many small steps and sometimes we fall down, but it is important that we appreciate the little things as small steps to progress. Have you ever observed the life of a toddler who is just trying to walk? A toddler rarely walks on the first attempt. But the mistake many of us make is that we focus only on the walking stage. We keep forgetting the many times the toddler fell over. There were numerous attempts before the toddler walked unassisted. So it is in our own lives too. It is the little things that grow into bigger achievements.

Little things can become Big things

I saw this infographic online, reminding me to enjoy the little things, as one day you may look back and realize they were big things. I have noticed this in regards to my writing and career life in general.

Writing and Career

It has taken repeated comments from people complementing me on my book publishing success before I took it seriously. I would often remark, “Thanks, but it’s not like I’m a famous bestselling author, like John Grisham or Danielle Steele.” But others would tell me that I have taken the first step, and that those famous bestselling authors I compare yourself to, probably weren’t right after their first or even second book.

Now I understand this completely. When I read blogs or books where I see the authors encouraging budding authors to go ahead and get their manuscript published, or get their books into bookstores I say to myself, “But I have books that are published and I have my books in the bookstores”. Now I realize how I used to belittle the small steps that would progress into bigger things. I may not yet be a New York Times Bestselling Author, but I am proud to have my books be on the shelves in bookstores and supermarkets. It’s a step in the right direction.

Cayman Literary Award

Recently I attended the annual Cayman Literary Award, and I found it interesting and reassuring as I listened to a fellow author who was being honored, comment that prior to her award last year, her book images were in black and white. She spoke of how people would urge her to have her work published and how others thought more of her work than she did. She mentioned that it was only after receiving an award for the book that she then chose to have the book images redone in color. Winning the award helped her appreciate her work more.

This was quite a touching story for me and it was proof to me that it makes sense to appreciate the little things. It is encouragement for me and should be for others, that you don’t need to wait for the praise and validation from others to know that your work is worth much.

At the Cayman Literary Award I saw joyful faces. Some writers were only participants, while others were winners. I did not enter my books in the competition this year, but I presented a few of the awards. I could tell by the looks on the faces that we were all happy with what we achieved that day.

Chasing Happiness

Sometimes we chase after happiness but never find it because we fail to find contentment in the little things. We are always looking for more money, a better-paying job, and higher degrees, without appreciating the efforts we have made in getting where we are. We are always looking at what project we are yet to accomplish, what fees we are yet to pay, how many kids we are yet to have, and how many positions we still have to scale before we get to our dream state. We still do not think about how far we have come. But if we could pause and take some time to appreciate the efforts we are making, we could find happiness in our lives.

Take a look at where you are today and appreciate all that you have achieved, even the little things. They are your small successes. Continue making dent in the world and appreciate yourself as you do so.

Best wishes,

Karlene

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