Literary Magazine

Theodora Ordaz - Nov 20

Thankful for the Tiniest Things

It can be someone giving you the extra dollar you need to buy something, or holding the
door open for you as you are coming in with your arms full. People should be thankful for the
little things in life because they remind us of humanity, are the most memorable, and give us a
sense of appreciation and self-love. It’s almost like an oxymoron, the term “little things' ' because
of how their effects are anything but small.

To start off, the little things in life remind us of a sense of humanity in our community. If
you're struggling to get something off a shelf or carry some boxes, and someone helps you it
makes the biggest difference. We are all struggling and working in our own way in life. So when
people take time out of their day to do something as simple as help you reach something on the
shelf it reminds you that the pure intentions of humanity still live on. The simplest actions, like
dropping your books and someone helping you and picking them up gives you a sense that
people care . You feel part of something bigger in life, something that represents the good of
humanity. It’s the small actions or words like these that pull people up emotionally and mentally.
So many times we see the news or hear things that can’t help but make us believe that the good
of humans is something that is as extinct as their care for each other. But when someone does
something, just a little something, you get reminded that your people are still out there. People
who are working to help the world become a place of love and where humanity is spread in all of
us.

Additionally, some of the most memorable moments in our life, the ones that give us the
biggest positive impacts, are the small acts. Maybe you just give someone a compliment on their
outfit. But what you may not know is if that person was feeling insecure about what they were
wearing, or if that was the only compliment they’ve gotten all day. Something as simple as that
can give someone a lasting memory. Because you gave that compliment, that person felt better
about themselves and continued to express themselves. While you may forget about what you do
the next day or the next week, that person’s life and self esteem grew from that one thing you
did. Our words and actions have power, there is no doubt. It is the most beneficial and strongest
when our power is used to create positive memories in someone else’s life.

Furthermore, tiny things like a rainy day, or an early morning sunrise can give us a sense
of appreciation and care for ourselves. Before, in the other paragraphs I talked about how other
people affected you. But sometimes little things like seeing a butterfly in your garden or hearing
a bird sing, are given by nature instead. These are small things that almost everyone overlooks
and forgets in their busy lives. That’s why when you metaphorically and literally need to “stop
and smell the roses.” When you do that you gain a feeling of self love and appreciation towards
the small things. Maybe you had a bad day, a day where only negativity was in your head. As
you get to your car you see a ladybug on your window. At first you think “Why not kill it, and
make it feel as bad as I do”. But then you realize that this ladybug is not a burden but a gift nature sent to remind you to take a step back in life and appreciate all the beauty around you. To
take a step back from drowning yourself in negative thoughts and instead nourishing self-love
and love towards all. You decide to thank the ladybug for its presence and gently move it to a
nice flower brush so it can continue to have a wonderful life. Nature’s little things have the
power and potential to remind us what matters the most.

In all, people should be thankful for the little things in life because they remind us of
humanity, are the most memorable, and give us a sense of appreciation and self-love. In a world
where there is so much to be thankful for, let us not forget to be thankful for the small things.
While their significance may be often overlooked, their impact on our world isn’t.