It's All About the Little Things

We’ve all heard the phrase, “The devil is in the details.”  That often puts a negative spin and mindset on the little things, the fine print, the details, the unseen parts.  While it is where disclaimers, restrictions, and exclusions are often listed, it’s also the where the frame work resides.  Ever tried to build something without framework?  There’s no support, no boundaries, no definition and without the stability of a good foundation or framework, what we build crumbles, falls, implodes, withers, evaporates, and comes apart.

Building a good foundation or setting a good framework is the hardest part when we’re building something.  It’s the boring part. It’s the inner workings no one can see in our masterpieces.  Most people only see the outward appearance, the art, the display, the picture.  But how many see the frame, the canvas, the inner workings, or the lode-bearing supports?  Only another designer, architect, artist or builder recognizes how it’s all about the little things.

You can tell a lot about a person by how they handle the little, ordinary things in life.  Are you the type of person that does the least to maintain, or do you take your time and make sure that whatever you’re doing is done to the best of your ability?  Do you do your best only on the things you love, or do you work with a spirit of excellence in all things?  Pay attention, take an assessment and truly evaluate your work.  When you wash the dishes, do you really take your time to make sure that not only are the dishes clean, but so is the stove, the counter, the spot behind the faucet, or the space beneath the coffee pot?  While we might not think such trivial thing make a difference, they really do.  It tells a lot about the type of person you are.  It tells more about how you feel about yourself more than anything.  When it’s just you and nobody else sees your effort, and you STILL give it your best shot, that’s your true framework.

I notice the little things. I look for them. I see you, the real you, the you that you are when you think no one is looking.  We are so judged in this world by our masks, our outward appearances, our metrics, our test results, our accomplishments, our awards, our trophies, our titles, our income, our possessions, our associations, our belts.  I see YOU.  It’s all about the little things. 

Till Next Time,

~The Magnifying Glass

Who's Got Your Ear?

Not many of us really think about whose advice we allow into our lives.  It would probably surprise us if we actually took stock of who truly influences our decisions.  So, if I can offer a small bit of wisdom that I learned early in my college days, I’d be happy.  I use this bit of advice almost on a daily basis, because it’s become ingrained into my very being.

So, what is this little piece of wisdom?

1.    Decide where you want to go, what type of person you want to be, and what it is you want to achieve. 

2.    Evaluate and list those that surround you, inspire you, and speak into your life.

3.    Decide who in your life that encompasses the traits and characteristics that will help you achieve the goals listed in Step 1.

4.    Separate from those listed in Step 2 that does NOT encompass those traits and goals.

5.    Put your decisions into action.

This may separate you from your closest friends and family members, but the choice is yours alone.  Do you want to stay where you are, surrounded by who you already know, or do you want to move forward? It may be selfish to apply this into your life, but YOUR life is YOUR life; and it can’t get more selfish than that.  If you’re a true friend, you’d want your friend to be successful and achieve their dreams, but the reality is that most of us are not true friends.  We surround ourselves with people that make us feel comfortable and better about ourselves, only rarely taking their feelings or aspirations into account on occasion. 

Ask yourself these simple questions:

1.    From whom should I take marital advice?  Someone divorced several times or can’t seem to sustain a long-lasting relationship or someone who’s been married to the same person for several years and survived through several storms?

2.    From whom should I take financial advice?  Someone in bankruptcy or in debt up to their ears or someone who’s started from the bottom and worked their way to the top, who offers opportunities to others, and who gives more than they receive?  Do you want to be rich or poor?

3.    From whom should I take spiritual advice?  Someone who doubts, who switches their faith with every whim, is swayed by every new fad or someone who stands firm on their faith in the midst of storms and among rainbows?

4.    From whom should I take writing advice?  Someone who runs wild with every new idea, but never seems to finish them, who believes their fellow writers are their competition and rivals instead of friends, who thinks themselves part of the artistic elite, filled with elitist snobbery and is above self- promotion and marketing, or someone who pushes through their labor of love, believes in themselves, and their talents, and takes their time to pour into others the wisdom and knowledge that have poured into themselves?

People like to talk.  People like to give advice.  But consider the ‘actions’ of those whom you allow to sow words of wisdom into your life.  If they only SAY, but never DO, then perhaps you should find DOERS instead.  Surround yourselves with people to whom you admire, respect and who encompass the traits, successes and character of the person you want to be. Follow someone who stands on their path and doesn’t allow their emotions to lead them with every whim, but always steps forward.  Follow someone who has heart, who cares and loves success in others, who will pour out continually as they receive.  Follow, as you learn to lead. 

I’m learning to apply this bit of wisdom into my own life.  I’ve recently

Till next time,

~T.L. Gray

Process

A systematic series of actions directed to some end; a continuous action, operation, or series of changes taking place in a definite manner.

I heard a great message yesterday focusing on the aspect that we spend our lives living from process to process, everything from breathing, to working, to learning, to maturation. Yet, due to our human nature, we tend to place our focus on the beginning and the end of our processes, often despising the period between, mainly because of and abhorrence for patience.  However, the essence of life happens during the process.   This is when our character, our skills, our talents, our personality, our values, our hopes, and our desires our developed. 

 

So, why do we despise the process so much?  As best as I can tell, it’s because of our destructive and rebellious nature.   We’ve deceived ourselves into thinking that finishing the race is the prize, but the true reward lays in the fact that we ‘ran’ the race.  We can set a million trophies on our reward shelves, but if we were just given the prize without having done the task, then the prize becomes worthless.  What good is a published book if we didn’t go through the toil of writing, editing, submitting, marketing and struggling through the process from conception to bookstore shelf, or eBook download?  It is during the process that we develop our gifts and abilities, that strengthen us as a writer (or insert whatever talent you have), and gives us the skills needed to publish many books.  

I’ve seen many writers abort their dreams because they wanted to avoid or skip the process, mostly due to impatience, or lack of belief.  Instead of going through the toil of learning their craft, they give up, or pay someone else to do the work for them, thereby losing the prize of completion or the value of the prize.  Getting published isn’t the true treasure or ultimate goal for a writer.  It’s having a vision (a story idea), then believing it will be published at the moment of conception (before seeing the first word appear on the page), and then sustain that belief as they begin the journey through the process of transforming that vision into reality.  For some, it may take months.  For others, it may take years.  Our dedication and obedience to the vision, and submission to the process, most often determines the length of the journey.  I personally don’t want to wander around in a desert for forty years.  I much prefer the direct route, even if it’s fraught with danger and impossible tasks, because I’m foolish enough to believe that if I have enough faith, nothing is impossible. 

I’m about to publish my fifth book, have ghost-written two other published books, and helped edit four other publications by other authors, not to mention the countless articles, reviews and blog posts already into the ether; my bookshelf is brimming with printed accomplishments.  What I value most is not the finished product, but the process I went through to receive them.  Each accomplishment has increased my faith for the next one on the horizon, and I wouldn’t change one tear that was shed to get here. I hope this blog post has encouraged you can do the same.

Till next time,

~T.L. Gray