small changes.
August 2, 2009
Around this time of year, the Earth is about 94 million miles from the Sun, give or take.
Our planet is moving through space at around 66,000 miles per hour, and it is rotating at a little over 1,000 miles per hour.
I am but a man, all of 5 feet 9 inches tall.
This is a really nice time of year where I live, and tonight I was standing outside, enjoying the sunset with a nice glass of red wine.
As I watched my shadow lengthen, I could feel the warmth of Sol’s rays on my back, and it was good.
And then, I felt cold.
The Sun had dropped below the treeline, far away on the horizon.
I took a couple of steps forward, and I was warm again.
We may feel insignificant, we may feel that we are powerless to effect great changes.
And we are wrong.
By making small changes, we can have almost infinite effects on our lives.
Hi Brett,
I love this thought! And it really plays to the idea that we can all design our own destiny…but we have to be will to make even these small changes. And many small changes, together, and this ends up being something pretty amazing!
Lance’s last blog post..Sunday Thought For The Day
Hi Lance,
Thanks! The thoughts that led up to me writing this short piece went something like this – as many folks know, I am not a big fan of winter and snow (even though I live in Canada).
As I was standing in my front yard, enjoying that glass of wine and the sun’s warmth, I thought to myself, “I’d really like to have this all the time.”
And then, when I took those steps forward to get back into the sunlight, I thought, “I *can* have this all the time – one step at a time – it may take a few steps, but I can do it.”
If such a small change can bring me back into line with something so many miles away, surely I can do just about anything if I put my mind to it.
@ Brett
Happy Freyblot!
Mer
@Mer,
And to you my friend!
Brett
Yes. One small step at a time. Check after each step to see if getting the desired effect, re-plan and try again. That is good and I try to do this myself.
Nice to see the way you put it. Seems your plan to be somewhere warmer is still going strong.
The idea of a place where I could ride my bike all year around has appeal. But then again, I like winter activities too, such as cross country skiing. It all depends on one’s frame of mind at the time.
At this time, I like changes; like the changes in the seasons. I’m afraid that if the season’s didn’t change, I would also not change and perhaps stagnate. But I may try that just for a change anyway.
I once said that I expected big changes and I was asked, by a young relative, what changes I expected.
This was my response, addressing the changes I expected:
“All the way from mundane, like refurbishing my kitchen; to whatever, like my employer is being sold; to fantastic, as in entering my third year being legally separated; and as in crazy as in where-ever my Zumba classes are going. Yah…big changes are the new norm.”
Ed’s last blog post..Successful classes in both Deep River and Chalk River
Ed,
I agree, it does have a lot to do with frame of mind. I make do in winter, walking outside is a good thing to help make it better for me.
Sort of like eating foods we like vs. foods we don’t like, maybe. I would say that brussels sprouts are not my “first choice” but with the right sauce (cheese!), they are not too bad. But, given the choice to not eat those, and instead eat something else, I’ll take the something else!
Of course, seasons do change regardless of where we live – the places I have considered have a “winter”, though it’s more of a rainy season.
The folks there seemed just as interesting as the folks here, so I don’t think there’d be any stagnation (and in fact, you can ski there if you go into the mountains).
I suppose the beauty is that we have the power of choice. We are fortunate in that regard, some people don’t have that luxury.
You or I could choose to move to a place where we could ride motorcycles all year long and never shovel snow again, and then, if we did not like it, we could move somewhere else.
Maybe I’ll have some brussels sprouts tonight – with a little cheese sauce.
Hi Brett, what a beautiful picture you have painted and an incredibly deep reminder that the little things count. I think too often we focus on the macro, the grand, the big result and miss the impact of each step taken. Thank you my dear friend for the poignant post.
Karen Swim’s last blog post..Easing into August
Hi Karen,
Thank you my friend – it seemed quite a simple thought at first, but upon reflection, there was a lot more to it.
I am still thinking of this today, and as I have the week off as vacation, I will see how far I can move towards two of my important goals, one small step at a time.
Oh for fsck sakes, put a jacket on and light a fire.
Using your method your wine would be finished and you would be across the street in your neighbour’s yard. Then where would you be? Cold, not on your property and out of wine.
Have I taught you nothing?
Eyeteaguy
Eyeteaguy’s last blog post..Lessons you can learn from F1
I haven’t visited here in a long time, and I pick this post to check in again. I agree with Karen, it does paint a beautiful picture of a simple thought. I love how you put that little step into that giant context.
Funny thing was that I watched the moon rise tonight. It was just coming up behind a tree, and I was astonished by the fact that I could see the moon rise above it. It was me standing in a field watching the moon rise. The moon, that big rock in the sky, so far away (but not nearly as far as the sun!). Makes you feel tiny, and in awe of the vast greatness of space.Until I realized that it wasn’t the moon rising, but the earth rotating underneath it. I was moving at that speed, not the moon! Changed my perspective in a snap
I was moving at awesome speeds! Still tiny, but man are we in an awesome ride or what!?
Lodewijk’s last blog post..Motivation vs. Discipline – which is better?
@Eyeteaguy,
I couldn’t find the matches.
Of course you taught me something – live across the street from a vintner who has a second house in New Zealand and a whole bunch of Air Miles he doesn’t need
@Lode,
Glad to see you here today – the picture you painted of the moon is just as splendid. I spend a lot of time looking at the moon these days.
Perhaps I am a werewolf in training or something…
I wonder if my small step thoughts had anything to do with the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11 – which is another great example of this, only 66 years between the first powered flight and the first moon landing.
One small change at a time, all within the lifetime of an average human, made a huge difference.
@Eyeteaguy
Oh, go easy on Brett.
Poor lad hasn’t posted in months. He’s a bit rusty.
He’ll start writing good stuff again, soon. I promise.
Friar’s last blog post..Friar’s Tips for Ladies on how NOT to Attract Men.
This sounds like something you should send to Oprah. She eats this stuff up with a spoon (along with a lot of other stuff). Then you will be summoned to be on the Oprah show and share your wisdom and then if you can bring yourself not to denounce her on national television (which would, admitedly be fun), she might give you your own show. Because she’s totally mad at Dr. Phil these days and is just looking for an excuse to blackball him.
XUP’s last blog post..Wooing the Middle-Aged Woman
@Friar,
I’ve been too busy drinking beer with you and Eyeteaguy…
@XUP,
That’s sort of the plan
I have a book that I know she’ll love.
Besides, I can kick Dr. Phil’s behind – I still have all of my HAIR!!!
(Which gives me Samson-like powers etc.)
Okay…this post and the comments get me buzzing with associations. This is way off-topic but too much fun not to write it.
Oprah was named after Orpah, a biblical figure in the book of Ruth
(someone goofed up)
She was called Orpah from the word Oreph, or back of the neck.
That’s how you ‘faced’ the sun.
Orpah aka Harafa is the mother of the four (Dr.) Philistine giants.
The Philistines in turn are bugged by Samson.
Samson means “of the sun”.
To get rid of him they pay Delilah, a woman of the valley of the Sorek.
The Sorek Valley now has a vineyard producing Merlot.
Delilah succeeds in letting Samson fall for her.
She asks for the secret of his strength.
He tells a lie 3 times, but the truth the 4th.
The strength is in his hair (like you referenced).
There you have Oprah, Dr. Phil, the sun, the wine and Samson. All linked together. You do know how Samson ended up right? (for a contemporary version listen to “Gouge away” by the Pixies)
Lodewijk’s last blog post..Motivation vs. Discipline – which is better?
Hi Brett – What a positive thought. I find all the stats mind boggling – it’s weird to imagine as this planet is moving so quickly as we sit. Yet despite the amazing power of the sun – as you say, we still have the power to make small changes.
Cath Lawson’s last blog post..Intelligence v Hard Work
@Lode,
I like that very much – O/T thoughts are always welcome as it makes it more fun!
@Cath,
Hello! It’s kind of funny – this line of thought has changed my outlook for the whole week, so far.
I figure I’ll run with this as long as I can do so.
Can I submit something deep and thought-provoking too?
I paddle my canoe.
Surrounded by water.
It is everywhere, yet I float above it.
I am so close, yet so detached. .
The water laps against the rocks. It wets the sand.
It nourishes the trees.
It cleanses and purifies.
If I get out of my canoe, and dive in,
the water will cleanse me too.
If I let it.
Sometimes Life is like that.
We need to get out of our comfort zone.
And plunge into the unknown.
To refresh and rejuvenate ourselves.
When was the last time you got out of YOUR canoe?
(*pppftt…snicker*).
Okay…how was THAT, Oprah?
Any comments, Eyeteaguy?
Friar’s last blog post..Brain Damage
I knew it! Friar is a fag!
What a load of horse manure. Tell me you got that out of a Hallmark card.
Eyebarfguy
Eyeteaguy’s last blog post..Lessons you can learn from F1
@Eyeteaguy
….Fag???
“Hello? This is your Junior Year at High School Calling. I’d like my insult back”
No. I didn’t steal this out of a Hallmark Card. I just wrote this drivel off the top of my head.
I mean, how hard can it BE?
Friar’s last blog post..Brain Damage
@ Eyeteaguy/Frair
Ok….now kiss and make up….Just small steps/changes will do. Ok to fail early and often.
Just think how fast you’re going when you’re on one of those travelator’s at the airport
You keep coming out with gold Brett, don’t go changing.
Steve Errey – The Confidence Guy’s last blog post..Unemployed? How to Survive the Job Hunt
Hi Steve – thanks! I know what you mean about those things, I always like to walk on them too – feels like you’re going a million miles a minute… until you get to the end
Sorry, Brett, that I only just saw this.
The message is really lovely. I wish I could feel it right now. I suppose the trick is knowing which small moves to make, let alone the large ones. I’m tired of “experimenting” to no avail.
Hi Steph,
No worries – I thought about what you had said. Maybe it is a case of making sure that the steps are small enough that you get a sort of “gut feel” and just know that you are moving the right way.
Sorry Ed… the spam filter thought you were spam
@edN
I love the Friar! He is one genuine human being. I’m just here to keep him honest. One small step at a time.
Eyeteaguy
Eyeteaguy’s last blog post..Lessons you can learn from F1
@Eyeteaguy @EdN @Brett
All right, everyone.
GROUP HUG
(But in a strictly platonic, manly sort of way!)
Friar’s last blog post..Friar’s Tips on How to Attract the Opposite Sex
One small step for mankind
So profound… gave me chills.
This reminds me of a time I was standing in a field, star-gazing with a friend. I was pointing to a star and she was having trouble seeing it. “Right there,” I said…
She squinted her eyes, cocked her head and took a few steps closer.
“Like those few steps are gonna move you closer to THAT star,” I laughed.
She smacked me on the arm.
Davina’s last blog post..If You Could, Would You?
Hi Davina,
Exactly… it hit me, just like that.
I like your poem, by the way. I think the treehouse may represent something else, now. I’m sure each of us has a treehouse we’d like to sleep in overnight (or longer!)
Nice poem!
Think big, but start small!
Kaizan’s last blog post..The Simplest Most Effective Time Management System Ever
Beautiful thoughts, Brett.
Let’s make sure our small changes are changes for the better, whenever it’s up to us.
Thanks Jarkko. I’ve been enjoying the weather while I can, holding these thoughts (hence the lack of new blog posts – but the fruits of my ponderings will be ripening soon).
I agree, our changes should be for the better.
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