Change doesn’t always require leaps and bounds to happen. Often it’s our small daily choices that make the most difference. What seems insignificant in the moment can have a lasting impact.
Occasionally, we’re faced with major life decisions – where to live, what work to pursue, and who to do life together with, for instance.
While these major decisions certainly have a defining quality, our everyday life consist of much smaller choices.
And it’s likely our character is built most through these smaller choices.
To be sure, big choices are weighty and come with major consequences. But their bigness also makes them easier in a sense.
We know a lot is on the line with major decisions. And these optics make us more likely to take our time and make a decision in keeping with our integrity.
On the other hand, we tend to take small choices for granted. Why put effort into something that seems to have such little payoff?
But the best version of ourselves is forged through these small choices.
For example, it’s a small thing to put down our devices and be fully present as we connect with others. Likewise, taking a few minutes to truly listen to someone’s heart or to read to our kid is not a big deal, at least in terms of time commitment.
These small choices might never be asked for or even consciously missed. But they can make a world of difference for ourselves and our relationships.
It’s not enough to focus on the big choices of life. These need their due attention, but so do the small everyday choices we make in our practice of love.
Pay attention to the small choices in your life and relationships. You might find your greatest and most lasting change happens here.
