The Power of Small Steps

Little drops of water

Little grains of sand,
Make the mighty ocean,
And the pleasant land.

So the little moments,

Humble though they be,
Make the mighty ages
Of eternity.

- Little Things, Julia Carney

Little do we realize the power of small steps and the profound impact they can have. A small drop may not be a potential force in itself, but it adds to the strength of the ocean.

Little do we realize how these unimpressive drops add up to become a potent force. But when they do add up they transform the world around them. Unfortunately, we only see the transformation and not the little steps that went beyond that transformation. The changes are subtle and gradual for one to realize easily.

It took twenty-two years for Manjhi The Mountain Man to pave the way for healthcare facilities to reach his village. Each day for twenty-two years he fought the mountain which denied his wife a chance to live.

Michael Phelps didn't become the force to reckon with overnight. He religiously put in hours of practice every day. Those practice sessions each day made him the most decorated Olympian.

All one needs to do is commit to these little steps. Devote time and effort every day to a particular task, even an hour is good enough, provided it is done persistently for a continuous period of time.

Those dedicated and consistent efforts may seem too small and unattractive, even unbelievable, to yield results. They can be painful and demanding too. Yet, when persevered with one can see mountains scaled, bar raised higher, perspectives changed and lives transformed.

Comments

Day 9 - The Power of Understanding

The words “I understand” hold immense power. In the TV show Two and a Half Men , Charlie Harper often uses this phrase, sometimes with humorous intent. But beyond the humor, these two simple words—"I understand"—carry a depth and magic that is often overlooked. Understanding is the first step toward empathy. It reflects a willingness to connect with another person's experience, their emotions, and their perspective. Yet, to truly understand, we must pause and reflect on what we mean when we say it. Do we really understand what the other person is going through? Are we merely acknowledging their words, or are we trying to feel what they feel? True understanding isn’t about sympathy or offering solutions. It’s about resonance. Do we truly feel the depth of someone’s anxiety or pain, or are we simply familiar with the emotion? Does understanding require us to have lived through similar circumstances, or is it possible to grasp the weight of another’s experience even...

Day 27 - Finding Forrester - A Movie About Finding Yourself And Rediscovering Yourself

The movie Finding Forrester is more than just a story about writing; it’s a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and unexpected mentorship. It beautifully captures the intertwined paths of two protagonists, Jamal Wallace, a young, talented writer, and William Forrester, a reclusive Pulitzer Prize-winning author. Through their unlikely friendship, the film unearths what it truly means to "find yourself" and, for Forrester, to rediscover a part of himself he had long buried. At its core, Finding Forrester tells us something profound: that finding oneself is rarely a straightforward process. Rather, it’s a series of revelations, challenges, and moments of courage. For Jamal, a young man from the Bronx, finding himself means stepping into his own power, believing in his talent, and confronting stereotypes. Forrester, meanwhile, has lived a life hidden away from the world, fearing vulnerability after a traumatic loss. As he mentors Jamal, he is forced to confront ...

Day 23 - A Bucket List Is Not A Wait List

Many people craft a bucket list full of dreams, places to visit, skills to learn, and experiences to savor. Yet, more often than not, they tuck it away like an old book, waiting for the mythical “right time.” But why wait a lifetime to live the life you dream of? The truth is, a bucket list should not be a wait list—it is an invitation to embrace life's opportunities, big and small, starting now. The longer we wait to check items off our list, the more distant those aspirations become, morphing into fantasies rather than goals. Life is too short and too precious to wait indefinitely for the "perfect moment." So, how can we turn that list of dreams into reality? Here are some reflections on why now is the time to act, and some ways to start ticking off those bucket list items without delay. Start Small but Start Now The first misconception is that fulfilling a bucket list requires monumental leaps or huge financial investments. While some aspirations may indeed...

Connecting with thoughts - My thoughts and Me

Search This Blog