The Little Things

There are people that are living on their own islands right now.


Growing up, I didn't have that many expensive things. I had the standard video game systems, a bicycle, a swing set, and things that pretty much pair of parents in northern New Jersey had to offer to their kids. I think my parents did a pretty good job in not spoiling me though - I wasn't begging for toys like some kids would. But this is because I tried to find ways to have fun without ways to have fun. In other words, I kept myself entertained without things to help me.


I exaggerated things a lot as a kid. Think of playing in a sandbox. The eyes of an older teenager see a square with some sand in it. But the eyes of children see a square with not just sand in it, but possibilities. Possibilities for what, nobody knows or cares. They're there, and thats what always mattered. When kids swing around their Tonka trucks and toy dinosaurs, they are really seeing those things come to life in front of them. They don't need to see images on a screen to see it in their heads - they see it on their own. Expensive toys are unnecessary. Just give a kid some sand and some sky. They'll figure it out.


Not to say that people don't do it, but I wish more of us appreciated the little things. Everyone take a minute and gloss over this website. Every post is some simple little thing that might make you smile during the day. Not some major achievement or huge deal that you made, but things that feel like major achievements or huge deals. Not because of their size or scope, but just because of the simple quirky positive natures that they hold. So many more little things exist in this world than huge, almost unattainable things that cause "happiness" in people. And we can easily get a smile out of a high five or a secret handshake. Kids can do it, and so can adults.


It's funny how much money some people have. More money than they know what to do with. It's almost a curse, really. You have more at your disposal than any one person should ever have, and almost everything you experience is a direct result of the price tag on it. People are out fishing on their own boats and coming home to giant screen TV's in their home theaters while their personal chefs make dinner. That's all fine, but it's not necessary. People dream to have all of that - but they are already so close. You can go out and jump in a puddle and come home to people making shadow puppets in the closet while popcorn is popping. I'd be pretty happy with that, maybe just as much as the ritzy moneybags scenario. The things that we should appreciate more are the things that are not quite things, but ideas. Kids can do it, so can adults.


Take a deep breath and think of how nice that air tasted. Hug your family members and think of how warm they are, on the inside and out. And realize that what you have is more than enough to make you as well off as anyone else. It's the little things that build up and make everything in this world worth it. Big things may come in small packages, but you have to open them up first.