A Kind of Kind

This isn't really an essay type entry of sorts, but more of an observation really. There is a saying, "its the little things in life [that make it great]",  I have just kind of shrugged off that concept for a while. But to be honest, those are words of wisdom. People run around chasing that number 1 spot, chasing the dollar, chasing their dreams, chasing their goals but is all that running around really getting you in shape? Sure I think it can be beneficial to set goals for ones self, but if you can't enjoy the route there, then it seems to me like its a lot of stress and unease for a small or big reward. Say the reward is big after all, is it really worth all the blood sweat and tears? Wait a minute, I may be a little bit dramatic here. It is not to say that you're either going to be miserable if you don't always enjoy the little things. I think its about finding the appropriate balance between having goals and enjoying those "little things" - that is also not to say that the two cannot be combined. What is that appropriate balance? I think that is something everybody needs to determine for themselves. Everybody runs at their own pace and grinds on their own gears. Where am I going with this? I think the saying "its the little things", can be slightly misunderstood, or fractionally understood for the potential it has. The little things don't always need to be the little things around you, it doesn't all need to be observed from one's own perspective. You can add to those little things for others and I think this is really where the magic happens. For example, say hello to somebody you walk past on the street or path you are on. There is this one elderly gentleman who I sometimes pass when I go for a bike ride. He is often working on the garden at Klahanie Park, and is more often than not already talking to another passerby. Every single time, (please note) EVERY SINGLE TIME! I have passed by him he has always said hello or asked how I was doing with the warmest smile that could easily melt the coldest heart. Even when I am speeding by he takes the time to lift his head from the weeding that he is doing at the time to simply say hello. And it puts me in such an awesome mood every single time! If I'm not feeling the greatest it cheers me up, if I feel great it makes me feel excellent. These are the types of things I am talking about. It may not take a lot for this gentleman to do this, but its a "little thing" and I wish I could tell him how awesome I think that he is. One day I just might.

It saddens me to think that doing favours for others can sometimes be considered "weird" in today's society. I feel like everybody wants to be different but nobody wants to stick out. Take for example the following scenario: somebody is in need of help in front of a large group of people, but nobody is quick to lend assistance. When somebody is in need of help and there are only one or two spectators, often those two spectators are very quick to respond. Studies have been conducted about these very instances. The results have shown that when people are in front of a larger audience they feel intimidated to do anything even when it comes to helping somebody who is in desperate need of support. How mind boggling is that, really?! I think this goes hand in hand with helping others enjoy the little things in life, because if humanity as a whole (this is generalizing obviously) is too proud help out at the cost of standing out, then we have a serious problem to fix!

"There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it." -  Edith Wharton