Little Things

I recall some simple words of encouragement that a friend once spoke to me years ago when I was feeling very down. The remark made a huge difference to me at the time and has, of course, stayed with me.

I can also remember a slight smirk that another friend gave when looking over an item that I'd labored over for years. Although we are still friends, that too has remained.

In both cases, I doubt if the other person realized the impact of the minor action. That is the nature of small things: they aren't always small. We underestimate our ability to raise or pull down another person; an act that can be accomplished within seconds.

At any point, our behavior can be as significant to another as if we are powerful and influential rulers. We may downgrade our importance but the other person will choose otherwise. Entire careers have been shaped by off-hand remarks that resulted in the listener taking this or that path. Little things that their author may have quickly forgotten can haunt or exalt the lives of others.

They can linger long after the seemingly larger events have evaporated.