Giving New Meaning to “The Little Things”

In the course of an average day, how could the little things we do change the world for others?

How often do we think about that as we go through our daily routines? Greeting people at work, patiently explaining something, holding a door open for the next person, or paying someone a small compliment. These might be commonplace or small habits, but what if we gave them just a little more attention?

We might even find possibilities waiting to be discovered in the things we consider “waste”.

Take this mural for example:

Source: Toronto Star YouTube Channel

Turns out, every small, colorful bit in that mural marks an important moment in a single person’s life. They may have been routine parts of a normal day for anyone on a medical team, but joined together, they make quite the striking display.

Let’s look closer. Recognize anything?

Source: Toronto Star YouTube Channel

Yes, you might sense something familiar here if you’ve spent some time in the hospital. This mural is made of thousands of the collected bits of disposable plastic waste from Toronto General Hospital. Retiring nurse, Tilda Shalof, squirreled away bags of these discarded items for years until she, accompanied by her friend and visual artist, Vanessa Herman-Landau, decided to create this stunning piece that hangs in the hospital’s hallway.

The little things mean a lot when they represent big moments in the service of others. Here’s their story!

Our team here at Ever Widening Circles loves this story, as it supports the thesis of so many different thought leaders we have featured in the past: Small moments may be just that, but they add up.

Here are a few short but great articles about EWC thought leaders who are changing lives with small pleasures:

And how about the precious nature of the little things, even for ourselves? Here’s something really fun to do with a group through the holidays! Check this out:

So as time unfolds, smile a little warmer at the next stranger. Pay a compliment to someone who you might find somewhat annoying. Look for a few opportunities each day to remember that an ordinary moment for you, may mean the world to someone else!

Stay open, curious and hopeful!

~ Dr. Lynda