
It’s the little things that make the bigger things function. If you are driving a car and the timing belt goes out, that big hunk of metal you depended on daily becomes a boat anchor, totally useless. Just a little chain. Just a little oil. Just a little spark plug. It’s the little things that make the bigger thing function well.
Your printer won’t work without that tiny cartridge (that costs a fortune, by the way). Your computer will finally run out of juice if you don’t connect with that little cord that is essential for it to continue working. Your watch may not tell you the time if you don’t replace that tiny battery every so often. Maintenance.
Everything in life seems to depend on something else to keep it functioning well, even if it is only rain or air. And it’s the little things that keep a relationship intact and running well. If you don’t believe that, try missing your son’s ball game or forgetting to send a card to your mother on Mother’s Day. It’s the little things that add up to huge rewards.
Recently I participated in a group discussion on Friendship and the inevitable “too busy” card got thrown into the conversation. We live in a world where being too busy is like a badge of honor. You’ve been promoted to King/Queen of the Universe. And being too busy becomes the excuse for forgetting important dates, not investing in relationships and not maintaining vehicles, homes, businesses, and many things that finally wear out, break down or disappear. Maintenance.
I fell in love with the man of my dreams over fifty years ago. I have been married to him for forty nine of those years and I know without a doubt that our marriage has endured and thrived because of the little things we do for one another daily. Not once in a while but daily. Maintenance.
I have a plethora of friends and I have some longevity and history with a few that binds us together in times of sorrow and joy. The only way I have created long-lasting relationships with those people are because I take time to keep in touch, drop a note or an email, remember them on special occasions. Maintenance.
I have never known a relationship to maintain on its own. It takes time, effort and energy. It takes caring enough to take a few minutes here and there to pay attention to what’s important. To who’s important. It takes maintenance.
Best selling author, Andy Andrews has released a new book called The Little Things that debunks the familiar and often quoted phrase, “Don’t sweat the small stuff”. Andy says, “Unfortunately, as good as it sounds and as tempting as it may be to follow that instruction, there is a big problem with not sweating the small stuff. Simply said, it’s a decidedly unproductive approach to virtually everything in your life you consider important.”
Don’t let the timing belt go out in your relationships. Trust me, the car can be replaced but a good marriage or friendship poorly maintained leaves a wake of emotional pain and a void that is much harder to bear. Those little things make all the difference in the well-being and functionality of just about anything you hold dear. You are never too busy for what you value enough to place in high priority.
What one little thing can you do today to put a smile or a tear of gratitude in someone’s day?
I love this! Thanks for sharing
Glad you enjoyed it, Andrea!
Words of Wisdom Joanne! We all think the big things are what really count (and I am guilty of that!) But it is those small things that are done daily that make all the difference. What if the sun only came up once a month!?!?! I just finished reading Andy Adrews’s book and there was great wisdom there as well. Love you guys!
Thanks for the great comment, Alan. It’s those little things in a relationship that makes huge deposits in the relational bank account. Glad you read Andy’s book. I love all his stuff. Great insight, inspiration and wisdom. Blessings, jfm
This post really spoke to my heart, Joanne! Whenever I read something written by you my I feel a peace coming over me. Thank you for sharing your wisdom so well 🙂 Hugs! CM
Csilla, Wow…that warms my heart. Thank you Csilla. I have so many things on my mind lately that I want to write but almost all of it centers around home, family and relationship. I will be writing more often. I hope I continue to touch your heart and give you peace. Bless you and thank you for your sweet comment.
Wow! I love reading your blog, thank you for these words of wisdom, what a great remainder.
Thank you Linda. We all need a reminder now and then. Thanks for reading and commenting!
Ms. Joanne, “just WOW again” are the first words that come to my mind when I read this! You, sis, without a doubt are definitely the queen of and expert of relationship maintenance. Just like Csilla said, I get a sense of peace and comfort every time I read a post authored by you.
Hoping to see you and some of our 48 Days family next month.
Archie, It takes one to know one! You do more to nurture relationships in the 48 Days community than anyone I know. And you are so good about keeping in touch. Bless you and all you do. I know you know well the value of doing the little things! Thanks for the sweet comment!
(Psst….BUT THAT VETTE IS MY KILLER DREAM CAR!!! 🙂 )
Beautiful… and so, so very true! I’ve learned a lot from you in this area Joanne. ❤
Wow! Thank you, Claudia. Those little things are what fuels great success in so many areas of life. Thank you for your comment!
You really hit it out of the park with this, Joanne! Now you can take those little steps as you “run the bases” 🙂 Thanks for the reminder
Thanks, Bob! Good analogy in running the bases. I hope I hit a homerun as often as possible!! Thanks for your comment.
Thank you. This is so true. My mother kept up with friends around the world all her life. I especially remember her received Christmas card stack was always over a foot high. I loved reading them during my visit home.
That’s interesting because my kids like to read my stack of Christmas cards too! Thank you for reading and commenting, Pam!
Your words are beautiful and true. You’ve always been a good friend to me and many others. It’s not always easy with a busy schedule but it’s always worth it. I look forward to our luncheons and times together. Love you. Vickie
I always know I can call at a moment’s notice and you will join me for lunch and girl time! You’ve been a good and long-time friend, Vickie….and will be till you have to push me in a wheelchair! Thanks for your comment!
You know I love the car analogy – great picture of the need to pay attention to the little things. You are a master of noticing and addressing the little things. Not only in keeping outside friendships alive but in the day-to-day details of our marriage. Even when “the car” is running smoothly you take time to write those little notes to me, fix something special for my well-being, and dress beautifully even if it’s just you and me for the day. You’re the loving and expert mechanic who makes my life magically!
Aww…Thanks for the sweet note, Daniel…It works both ways. It is easy for me to give the little things because you do the same. Even in a friendship, if the effort is only one sided, the relationship gets stale and tarnished. Your sweet ‘Vette gives you pleasure by zipping around town looking hot…..and thus you take care of it in order to maintain the functionality….thus it is reciprocal. You’re the BEST!
Great reminder Joanne! The older I get the more I recognize that it’s my relationship with God and relationships with family/friends that matter most. I have been reading a book The Best Yes by Lysa Terkeurst about this very idea of when to say “no” and when to say “yes” in the midst of endless demands upon life. Thanks for your wonderful insight!
I’m familiar with the book, Joyce. Good one. The older I get the easier it is for me to be honest and say, “No, I can’t add one more thing to my plate” and I find that most people are quite receptive to that answer! Hope you are doing well! Thanks for the great comment.
So well said, Joanne.
I watched a TED Talk earlier this year in which the speaker cited a 2001 Gallup Poll. That year, the average American reported having ten really close friends. In 2014, the results from that same poll dropped to two. Everyone is “too busy.” This is especially true for my generation.
Thank you for the reminder. Just because everyone else is “too busy,” doesn’t mean that I can’t take the time to do a little maintenance.
Well I must have had a bull’s-eye on my forehead and you hit it hard with this blog post, Joanne. I confess I have been way too busy here lately. Thanks for reminding me to slow down and take care of the little things. Not sure if I should thank you for the knot on my head though.
Oh my! Sorry about the knot on your head! I am so glad this resonated with you Phil. It has been on my mind a lot lately as I notice the little things Daniel does for me that really make big deposits. Bless you and Kim! jfm
This post is showing me that I am just too dang busy! I’m going to do better Joanne. When I come to Nashville in May, I will make the time for some maintenance if you are available – even though I’ll be running our event, I WILL find the time. You’ve been in my thoughts all day today! Talk soon!
Chris, a good writer writes about her/his own struggles…so I can certainly relate. But I am making great strides in learning to say NO and protect my time and energy! Thanks for the great comment!