We’re living in a time of humongous things – huge issues – gigantic problems – overwhelming health concerns – political unrest and division. How on earth can we see any good in our world today? There are times I’d rather just go back to sleep rather than face another day of conflict. Yes, the little things have grown into huge things and often overtake us.

Maybe it’s time to start searching for the little things. What makes you happy? How can you be of help to someone else? Will your words make a difference in the life of someone? Can a random act of kindness touch your heart as well as the one that act is bestowed upon? Can a simple thing like saying please or thank you – I love you – I respect your opinion – alter someone’s thinking? Counting our blessings may seem futile when everything around us seems to be caving in, but I believe it is the perfect way to get out of the pit of sadness, depression or feeling total frustration.

I’m not saying we should go around with a Pollyanna attitude – smiling, being positive, never showing our true feelings. I’m suggesting that we look for the blessings in our lives. By doing so, we will not be overcome by the big things. That may be easier said than done, but if we look hard enough we will find the little things that make a difference.

There are days I’m just thankful to be able to breathe – to laugh – to enjoy a meal – to read a book. There are the small successes of creating a piece of poetry, a story or a piece of art. There are the smiles – the tears – the conversations – the listening – the watching of God’s amazing creation. Seeing how the simplicity of life eventually turns into a thing of beauty, will prove to be one of the greatest things we can give ourselves.

It seems to me that once we learn how to enjoy the little things, we will be able to handle the big things. Once we put away all the noise of discontent, we might have a chance of being contented.

We will have trouble in this world. There is no doubt about that, but we have been blessed by God in so many ways. It started with a little baby in a manger.