All the Little Things

I used to have a character in Dark Age of Camelot named Alayne who had a motto that went something like this:

It is because of the little things that great things come to be. 

While this might seem self-evident, I think that we often forget this bit of wisdom.  We rush around in our lives worrying about this, or unhappy about that.  We grow anxious about things we cannot control, and forget steps in little everyday things because we're looking at the big picture and forgetting to focus on the moment.

Plants are not just created fully and completely formed; they start as a seed.  They require rain and sunshine--care and attention.  And our lives should be the same.  If we fail to give ourselves time and attention--the things that matter to us our time and our attention, then how can we expect anything great to come of our efforts?

I want to leave you with just one example of how something very small today changed my perception of something much bigger.

John and I went out to lunch today at a local restaurant.  When we arrived, we were greeted, asked if we had their rewards card, and after told to step to the side and we'd be seated.  We weren't welcomed to the establishment, and the questions were asked as part of some rote pattern that was required.  Then, the hostess that sat us at our table was devoid of enthusiasm; it was as though she'd rather have been anywhere else other than having to seat people at tables.  So this set the tone for our experience at this restaurant, but it also told me two things; first, the management of this establishment was very likely more concerned about turnaround than actually creating a dining experience.  Second, it informed me that my experience there was likely to be missing some key elements.  And I got that all from just a few small observations when I arrived.

Our experience was, as I predicted, not stellar; there was a hair in our appetizer.  Our waitress did not ask nor serve us water when we ordered our drinks, and she even forgot that John has ordered one type of fries with his food--having to return after leaving us with our food to give him the fries he had requested to begin with.   All that said, I doubt that John and I will be returning there.

I should mention, however, that the silverware and glasses were clean--something that at another restaurant we went to a while back was not the case.  That said, the waitstaff there were apologetic, corrected the error, and were enthusiastic and engaged when dealing with us--something that made that experience in my mind ten times better.

So, as you can see, the smallest details can be some of the most important--from creating an impression, to creating an experience, and even to creating a country.  And if we fail to recognize that, then the great things in life that we all long and hope for may never come to pass.

So please--remember the little things--the smile, the please and thank you, the fact that what you do and present to others is a reflection of yourself--and everyone who associates themselves with you.  And perhaps by focusing on the little things, something great will come to be.