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{Straight From the Heart} *It's The Little Things* 6/23/00
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IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS
By: Brigitte Carucci Mesa
Well, my husband and I finally closed on our first house last week,
and the hard work has begun! We spent the better part of the weekend
painting, peeling wallpaper, installing shelves and many other fun
projects that have left me, well, quite exhausted, to say the least!
But it's all in the name of home ownership, and that's "a good thing,"
as Martha Stewart would say.
My husband and I were walking around the front and back yard of the
property, deciding what we want to plant, to keep and to do with our
new garden. There is an old brick pathway that leads to the front door.
The house that we bought is an old Victorian and the old, peeling,
crumbling bricks go nicely... my vote was to just do weeding between
them, whereas my husband's vote was to pull them all up and lay down
brand new brick. Luckily, I won.
In the midst of these weeds there is a very tiny little sprig of the
smallest purple flowers I've ever seen. I instructed my husband that
when he's weeding this pathway to be sure and be careful around the
flower and not disturb them; he was to leave them there. He thought
it was quite funny that the thing I cared most about was this tiny
purple flower that most people would yank right up in the quickness
of doing their weeding chores. But, when you come right down to it,
it's kind of typical of my character, and he would quickly agree.
See, the thing of it is... it's great to make sure that you are nice
to people you interact with, smiling, etc., it's great that you
respect your elders and play with your pets.... but it shouldn't stop
there. Your caring attitude, respectfulness and demeanor needs to
extend to the very smallest of things, the very tiniest of creatures,
for it to really count. Everybody can care about the obvious things,
it's the ones that are most overlooked that will really matter in the
end. It's something I try to practice day to day, and it's a good
habit to pick up on.
My stepdaughter's first instinct when she sees an ant is to step on
it, but I try to explain that even though we might think bugs are
yucky, they still have mommies and daddies too. They have a family
that's waiting for them at home just like she does, and imagine how
upset they'd be if their son/daughter didn't make it home. Hey, it's
a stretch, but it's true. Think about it.
It is important to be kind to people, remember your pleases and
thank-yous, hold doors open for people and all the other good
mannerisms that you were taught growing up. But more importantly,
remember that it doesn't just stop with the obvious beings that you
encounter... remember the struggling flowers, the meandering ants,
the stray cat, the fish in the ocean.... Remember it all, because if
you don't, who will?
Brigitte Carucci Mesa
MondayMoments@aol.com
Send Brigitte an email and let her know what you thought of her story!
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Brigitte Carucci Mesa has been a business owner for over 11 years.
In addition to freelance writing, she also provides marketing,
copywriting, editing and proofreading services. To subscribe to
her weekly e-newsletter or discuss a project with her, e-mail:
mondaymoments@aol.com.
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Thought For The Day:
"It is not guided missiles, but guided morals that is our great need today."
(George W. Ford)
Verse for the Day:
"The man of integrity walks securely..."
Proverbs 10:9
Kid's Thought For The day:
"You feel a lot braver the second time you jump out of a tree."
Parent's Thought For The Day
"Reasoning with a two year old is about as productive as changing
seats on the Titanic.
(Robert Scotellaro)
Coach's Thought For The Day
"I always say that to appreciate warm weather, you must experience
cold. I wouldn't change one thing - all the embarrassing moments,
the defeats, all of everything - through all of his, I have learned me."
(Floyd Patterson, former professional heavyweight boxer)
Deep Thought For The Day:
"Everyday I beat my own previous record for number of
consecutive days I've stayed alive."
(George Carlin)
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/_/\/\ MICHAEL T. POWERS
\_\ / THUNDER27@aol.com http://members.aol.com/Thunder27/index.html
/_/ \ "For I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but
\_\/\ \ Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live for the Son
\_\/ of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20
Video Imagery (Michael's Video Production Business)
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a beautiful job! They were so suprised and so touched---they
really, really, really loved it. Thanks for helping to make it so
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the video too! Thanks again!"
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