Little Things

I've always been a fan of "The Butterfly Effect". Events, no matter how small, set into motion things that happen in the future, be it days, weeks, years.

I think the original example went along the lines that the simple flapping of a butterfly's wings could radiate outward and cause a hurricane on the other side of the world. Now while I don't believe that if I'd crushed that butterfly outside of my window I could have prevented Sandy, the idea that small things/actions not only effect you immediately, but can set in motion events that could potentially effect you and others (even strangers) in the future is very appealing.

It's the little things. We're told.

Small acts of kindness or charity that can make all the difference to someone. They add up and have a huge impact. One person can change the world.

Being that I love this theory, it took me a long time to see that it is also the little things that shape our day to day. Of course, we have life defining moments. Huge decisions or events that forever change our lives. But for the most part, it's our every day decisions and actions that write our story.

Those pesky pounds didn't show up overnight. It was changes in schedules, eating habits, lifestyles adding up over a period of time that did that. Relationships, Careers. These are all products of events that were set into motion one small event at a time.

It's the little things. I say.

I used to want to make changes, start new chapters in my life. I always set myself up to fail because I would focus on extreme measures.When they didn't become apparent immediately I would feel like I had failed and give up. I've never been a fan of slow and steady.

When I finally started to break my life down into chapters and look at the changes from one to the next. I realized the small changes where the ones that had the biggest and longest impacts, in my life and in myself. I am able to see the difference in the person I was last year versus the one I am today. I'm able to look into the future and see, not only, the direction I am going, but the possibilities and changes I have before me.

Little changes or accomplishments, no matter how small, that can move you into a new direction or chapter. That can catapult you out of the stale plot of your current existence and into an exciting new beginning.

Today, I'm starting a new beginning, with the little things...