This Blog by Cher’ley Grogg
An eyelash, a blade of grass, Tinkerbelle, Jack, and an embryo all have something in common they are small but important. I lived in Texas for quite a while and in Texas the bigger the better. Everything is bigger in Texas, or so I’ve heard. I have come to realize that on this earth, the most fascinating things, are small.
I haven’t seen the movie Jack the Giant Killer on the big screen, but I read the book to my children when they were little, and I’m sure it was read to me when I was a tiny young’un. Jack, the small lad, climbs the beanstalk, kills the giant and gets the goose that lays the golden egg, and he and his mother live happily ever after. From the advertisements, I don’t believe that’s exactly what happens in the movie. But in the book that’s what happens, they live happily ever after and I like to think of life is being happily ever after too. However, I’m a realist, and I know this is not true, but I look for the little things in life that make me happy. Look for the little things that lift your spirits.
Jack the Giant Killer
How amazing is it to walk through the woods and spot those little teeny yellow flowers or those tiny blue flowers that grow wild and they are scattered everywhere for our enjoyment? If there’s a grassy patch, there are little flowers. The tiny buds on trees and bushes that burst forth in the spring are awesome.
The small pleasures of life give us some of the happiest most contented moments that anyone can experiences. Just think about the wonder of viewing a kitten, a puppy or a newborn baby.
One of my pleasures in life is my painting. Here is one of my paintings.
While under my instructor, during the time when I was developing my fine art, we’d examine paintings by great artists and Lee would tell me to watch for the details. He said to put in the little details. Watercolor is a looser form of painting, but still it has detail. Just like writing, I’d go back and add a little more color in one area and a little more water in another. I’d smudge it and move the paint around, constantly adding more detail. In writing, I’m painting a picture with words. Details bring the writing picture to life.
For instance, a little baby is soft to the touch. You smell the freshness of her hair. You look at the tiny creases in her arms and legs. and you marvel at her tiny feet. Her perfect eyelashes brush her cheek as she sleeps. Little sucking noises come from her rosy little mouth. There is nothing that beats the feeling when she curls that little hand around your finger, and you kiss her on the top of her head.
Here’s a list of 10 things that make a difference in my life:
- The moment after the rain stops. Everything smells clean, fresh, and revitalized.
- A deep stretch. The benefits of loosening your muscles exceed enhanced relaxation. Check out Nursing Degree’s 77 Surprising Health Benefits of Yoga for a little food for thought.
- A beautiful sunset or sunrise. Nothing is more inspirational that tuning into nature’s majesty.
- Playing a game you loved as a child. Pull out Candyland and tap into the simplicity of childhood.
- An extra half-hour of sleep. Hit the sack a little earlier one night and see how this changes your day.
- A spa-like shower experience. Remember that commercial reference I made before? You too can get way too excited washing your hair with Herbal Essences shampoo.
- A thoughtful question from a friend. When she asks, “What’s your favorite childhood memory?” she’s trying to learn what makes you happy. How beautiful that she cares to know.
- A long phone conversation, like you used to have in junior high. Curl up with your cell, call a dear friend, and start reminiscing.
- 10 minutes with an animal. Petting an animal is actually quite meditative. If you don’t have a pet, head to your local dog park and make a new furry friend.
- Finding money you didn’t know you had. Leave a ten in your coat pocket and then forget about it. In the future you will be pretty psyched.
In my book “Stamp Out Murder”, James and Carolyn walk through a wooded area, to get to the Cheat River behind McKeel’s Bed and Breakfast. They touched trees, were careful not to slide down the hill, and took photos standing beside big trees. Carolyn taught James to skip a rock across the water, and they splashed and played in the shallow river like small children. A story poem by me.
***What small something has touched your life? What unexpected noun gave pleasure to you?***
Cher’ley’s Books are listed below and on sale at Amazon and local bookstores.
You are so right little things are very important. Hummingbirds are little , but seeing one always brings a smile to my face. Stealing just a few small minutes of quiet when everything is hectic is another small thing I cherish. Hubby always says I am easy to please. But little gestures mean more to me than big grand ones.
LikeLike
Sue, that’s so true. I love getting up early to sip my coffee and enjoy nature. Cher’ley
LikeLike
Reminds me of setting mood for a scene. Got to get all the senses into a description… touch, sounds, not just what a character sees. Sometimes I get delayed and can’t take my evening walk until 10:30 or 11 at night. At that time, everything’s mostly quiet, the number of cars on the roads have dropped, it’s only me on the neighborhood streets, and the noises that get drown out during the daylight or early evening can be heard. On windy nights I can hear the wind currents rustling trees and foliage.
LikeLike
Sounds serene. I often walk when we are in an area to pick up our loads. Walking is the best of everything. Cher’ley
LikeLike
I like your list. On mine: Laughing so hard you fall over on couch howling and can’t sit up–and doing it with a good friend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kathy, as you know, laughing is my favorite thing to do, and I do it often. In my mind I can see you and your friend. Cher’ley
LikeLike
Little things mean a lot, as the saying goes. Smiles, hugs, animals, flowers, rainbows, waterfalls — all of those warm my heart. Great, inspirational post, Cher’ley!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gayle, I know your right. How would we renew ourselves without them. Cherley
LikeLike
Great list. For me: watching a foal (or any horse) play, kittens, the small birds enjoying our feeder, blossoms, the view from our kitchen, the deer wandering in our woods. The opportunities are endless.
LikeLike
I love your list, Cher’ley. I’m like S.J., I can watch hummingbirds forever and they make me smile. Same with squirrels. Lady bugs. I love puppy breath.
LikeLike
I had a family of hummingbirds and the young ones would fight over who was getting. what. Cher’ley
LikeLike
So true, Cher’ley. Life works to lift you up while people can work to make you feel less that what you are. It can also work the other way around. The key, if you can, is to be joyful in the beauty of living. Doris
LikeLiked by 1 person
Doris, I like the to be joyful in the beauty of living. Cher’ley
LikeLike
I loved this post, Cherley. I had someone tell me once they noticed that I saw beauty all around me in little things and they were impressed by it. Like you, I take time to drink all the beauty in, whether big or small. Doesn’t it make your day tranquil? Love the painting – you are so talented!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Linda, thank you. I need to get some time to do some more painting. I’m hoping to be able to this winter at the beach. I know you love the beauty that surrounds you. Cher’ley
LikeLike
Reblogged this on L.LEANDER BOOKS.
LikeLike
You’re absolutely right Cher’ley. Small can be very important. We recently had some days of continuous pure blue skies- not a regular occurrence here. One can never say the sky is small but because our amount of pure blue skies for a whole day is small, it’s hugely significant. It really does lift the spirits and it made me very happy to repeat a lot to my grandkids that I just loved it.
LikeLike
I thought I’d like to take a months vacation in Scottland, but I got to thinking about the rain almost every day and thought maybe a little less than a month. LOL. Glad you got some blue skies to share with your sweet grandchildren. Cher’ley
LikeLike
I share some of your list. Sunrise over the ocean is something I can’t experience enough times. And on the rare weekend where I actually succeed in sleeping in, it’s the most delicious feeling. Finally, I just love dogs and cats, and they seem to know that about me. My friends have two dogs who fight over who gets to be petted by me when I visit.
LikeLike
Joe, they say dogs are a good judge of character, and I think in your case they are right. I love Sunrises and Sunsets everyone, the sky just turns magical. Cher’ley
LikeLike