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Life @ SC

Little Things Are Bigger Than You Think

By Sofia Paradis, Grade 12
Today I want to talk about the little things in life. The dictionary definition of the word “little” is something small in size, amount or degree. The word “little” has often been used in an undervalued way; “little” seems to mean something bad more often than good. What if I could change your mind?  
Chaos Theory is the idea that complex systems in the world are made up of simple patterns. It suggests that our inherent belief that the world is really complex and unpredictable is incorrect. There is something organized about big things and how they come to be. The Butterfly Effect is in fact a part of this theory. In Chaos Theory, the Butterfly Effect is how small changes in one state can result in large differences in a later state, creating significantly different outcomes. Now that you know the background, you can begin to understand why I think the little things in life are important.
 
Just like the Butterfly Effect, your actions and your words can have notable impacts on people and your surroundings. Although you may not realize it, the trivial things you consistently do may represent you more as a person than the ostentatious gestures you do once in a while.
 
I used to think that big gestures and big moments define who we are. That a great win or loss had an impact on my character and that what people consequently thought of me would be set in stone. Truly, this was an irrational way of thinking. To put it this way, if you support a friend once but act in the opposite manner every other day, that doesn’t make you supportive. To be supportive you must be consistent in your actions.
 
As a person, you truly have the freedom to be anyone you want. If your goal is to be giving, to be supportive or to be dedicated, all you have to do is put in the work. This is where people equate simple to small. These are unimportant or small things but they are not always simple. Although, once you start working on those things, you’ll quickly start to realize you’re changing the big picture about who you are.
 
When it comes to happiness, the little things apply here as well. In the past, I’ve found myself thinking that having or being the most of something makes you the happiest. This is the typical style of thinking that I believe we’ve all been through. If I have more clothes, I’ll be happier. If I have more friends, I’ll be more social. And the list goes on. But when people say less is more, it’s not just some cliché, it’s real.
 
Now, I’m not saying having less of everything will make you happier, but instead I’m saying always wanting more won’t. Mark Manson, a writer I really like, taught me that we are no longer happy with the average because we are made to feel by society that it’s not enough. We all want to be extraordinary, and in that, we lose ourselves to the chase.
 
We should instead find joy in the minor moments and conversations we might have. Find  joy in the simple activities. Find joy in the little things in life because I think most of us have forgotten how to do that.
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