**SMALL STEPS**


[Image source](https://www.quotemaster.org/little+things+in+life#&gid=1&pid=7)

The small things in life, the little details we don’t pay much attention to. Usually thinking to ourselves that these teeny-tiny moments don’t or can’t add up to something great one day. Always looking at the “bigger picture”, big moves, size-able improvements in lifestyle, living life large. We want all the big stuff and we want it fast. Sometimes a bit too fast for our ability and understanding to catch up. Hence, most of the time we end up losing more than we’ve gained.

Quick progression usually isn’t a good thing, we tend to miss a lot of important factors because of the pace. Even though it all mostly depends on the person, their level of understanding and capability. Not everyone is a fast learner like a Border Collie and not everyone has eagle’s eye vision.

Yet, fast learner or not, I believe it’s better to be safe than sorry. That is why we need to focus on the small things in life, the small steps, those little wins of ours.

I believe building up a proper foundation while focusing on the smaller, much little things in life helps us in the long-run. A strong foundation helps you stand strong and tall. Even in the toughest of times it helps you stay true to your cause.

So, even if you do end up losing track, you can always go back to the basics and rely on the foundation that you’ve built. A proper foundation can only be built by taking small steps, while climbing at a moderately slow and steady pace, progressing ahead detail by detail. Resulting to a bigger achievement, somewhat of a compounding effect.

Let’s take happiness for example. Most of us think, to really be happy in this world we require money, a lot of material and freedom. Even though these are a few legit sources of happiness, at the end of the day, happiness truly is a choice. You can't run after wealth, material, a lavish lifestyle all at once. And even if you succeed in doing so, you'll probably end up broke becasue of your hunger for material. Constantly "upgrading" and buy things most of which are probably unnecessary.

So, what if I told you that you can truly be happy just from having the smaller things in life?

I’ll put in a few examples from my own life experiences. I remember two little kids from a few years back, they used to sit around near our local bus station. So, I would be seeing them daily almost, during my daily commute. Whenever they would see me, they'd simply run towards me expecting some kind of a treat. I would usually buy them candies or fruits from the vendors by the bus station whenever possible. And to be very honest, seeing these two little mischievous troublemakers smiling would be more than enough to make my day.

On the same commute of mine, there were be a few rickshaw pullers who I knew quite well. Because they and I myself have been using this route for many years now. So, we’ve gotten to know each other quite well. Whenever I’d see them while traveling, it would either be me greeting them or they greeting me. A simple “hello” would be more than enough to put a smile on both of our faces. The fact that we remembered each other and have put in the effort to at least say hello, would make quite a huge difference to the rest of our day.

Then at home, lending a hand in the kitchen and helping my mother out. It is something everyone in our home usually tries to engage in whenever possible. Yes, we mess up a lot of things most of the time, instead of helping out we make things worse even. Yet, it’s the effort that counts, spending some time with the family, conversating a bit, sharing a meal, some harmless gossip maybe.

All these moments above, they're all small details, yes. However, when you add it all up, you get a whole day full of experiences. A day and a few moments that are surely worth remembering.

Taking small steps towards appreciating the small things in life, taking time to engage and create such moments will soon add up to something big. Maybe even building a habit of not taking such things for granted. Not always looking at the "big things", learning to live life in the moment and being happy with what you already have.

Finding true contentment in what you have, what life has already offered you.