What is a small moment? It might be a small amount of time. It might be something ordinary. It might seem inconsequential. But all these small things add up to memories, decisions, moments that change.
Most of our lives are these kinds of moments. Slices of time between the “important” things of meetings, appointments, and scheduled activities, and the exciting times, like vacation and holidays. Small moments are rarely planned but the time is no less valuable. Maybe it is more valuable because anything can happen.
When people ask me how I read so much, I answer simply, “I always have a book on hand and 95% of my free time, I reach for it.” Someone once joked that I cook while I read. With a straight face, I replied, “Well, yes, because it’s easy to stir soup while holding a book.” We really have no excuse for not using the “wasted” parts of our day.
But it’s so hard to use them wisely! I’m not perfect at this and there are days watching Reels on Instagram is more fun than spending my moments in guilt free pursuits. But the option is there. I make it as easy as I can to prep for decision making. My hand embroidery I’m working on, materials for watercolor or sketching, photos downloaded to Shutterfly for a project, my journal and book at the ready. I know it’s easier to sit and scroll so I put other options at the ready and make them just as easy to reach for.
And sometimes in our small moments, we need to sit, fingers not busy, gazing out a window or singing along to music. Productivity doesn’t equal having a physical item to show for it. Sometimes it’s the memories made and the time spent together.
Small moments fill our days. What we do with them is our decision.
Photo by Ethereal Optics on Unsplash