Life Lessons from Little Things

Have you ever noticed that we don’t always see what’s before us?     And while there are moments I’d very much like to know what’s in my future, there are times where I value my inability to do so.     Today is one of those days.  If you’re read What You See ( https://www.blogger.com/u/1/blog/post/edit/5043784668298294946/7306501480046648416?hl=en ,) you might remember Spot.     In January of 2004, I received a call from a friend from whom I’d adopted a tiny black kitten a few weeks before.  I’d been prepared to adopt both Sam – the tiny black kitten – and her black and white sister, but the sister had found another home.  Six weeks later – that January – change was needed.  The adult who’s adopted that sister – a parent of two young children – complained that this kitten was digging its nails into the children.  There was a reason – the children, about 4 and 6 years old – were treating the kitten as a toy, and throwing it at the wall.  Like a ball.  I was appalled.  (Yes, the rhyming

It’s never fun to make a mistake in front of others.  There’s something about it which creates vulnerability.  Even if you’ve never been bullied or mocked (and I suspect most of us have at some point), that feeling that everyone sees your mistake is scary. Here’s the catch, though: they don’t.   Most of the people around you don’t see it – at all, or if they do, it’s nowhere near as obvious as it feels.   The one person who finds that mistake so conspicuous is you. In my early teens, I performed as the piano accompanist for a choir at my school.   We toured northern Ontario one year, eastern Canada the next.   There were regular appearances on the television show associated with the church to which the school was attached.   And while I might not have been seen much, I was certainly heard. Some of what our choir sang had very simple accompaniment.   Some of it didn’t.   Some of it was long, with multiple pages – so much so that I acquired a page turner.   A few pieces had longe

Do you ever notice that it’s little things in life that seem to mean the most to us? I know I do. The holiday season, I’m reminded that this means so many different things to different people. For some, it’s an opportunity to connect with family who may be distant. In many cases, that may not happen this year. For others, it’s an opportunity for religious remembrance. Many of those right now also very different, occurring online without the traditional warmth of an in person gathering. There are the people who absolutely love the decorating. The inside, the outside, their persona, everything is decorated. And if it bring some joy, and I’m glad for them. This year, at least that’s one thing that can still happen. It’s a little different, but it still happening. Then, you have the gift givers. Those people who love to go and buy gifts and give them, or who simply love having mounds of gifts under a Christmas tree (or elsewhere, if you celebrate something else). In some cases, they’re b