The past month I’ve seen a certain word everywhere. I’ve heard it, read it, thought it, absorbed it.
So what the heck is this word?
Smallness (in life).
Sometimes feeling small in a BIG world is where God needs you to be so you can gain strength, grow, and support others.
We (Crazy Cotters) often feel small trying to figure out this DREAM, this JOURNEY. The past injuries and health issues left us feeling downsized. I guess you could say we felt like we lost our “value” in this BIG DREAM of ours. One that we worked so hard to achieve.
But you know what?
Our downsizing led us to a more valuable approach to health, life, and marriage. It helped us focus on taking SMALL steps.
Small steps that will hopefully lead to success; success in our every day ambitions and in our relationship.
But what about other passions, the ones we still YEARN for?
I often feel small among other amazing food bloggers or fitness bloggers. But that small feeling is not one that is invaluable, but more amazed with the GREATNESS and support of this community. And to be honest, I don’t think I’m suppose to strive towards becoming a “successful” blogger. I think I’m suppose to strive towards being a JOYFUL and GENUINE blogger and let God to plan that rest.
Oh how tricky that can be at times, because we all want to “feel” successful. I blame it on this built in need to be valued, whether it be in our jobs, our fitness, our hobbies/passions, or our in humanness. And smallness (to most) does not add up to great value.
Or does it?
What if we did small things. A lot. Wouldn’t that add up? Wouldn’t that be VALUABLE? Wouldn’t that lead to more internal Success?
Yes, yes it would. –> EVERY DAY SMALL VICTORIES –> THEY COUNT!
Small things like send a kind note or text to a friend.
Small things like saying thank you and “I appreciate you!”
Small things like listening to someone, even when we feel like we don’t have the time.
Small things like being JOYFUL. Yes, that actually can bring SO MUCH value to our lives and yet, all it takes is a small smile and word of encouragement.
So what if you are not in the place you expected be in life right now. What if you feel small in a world of BIG DREAMS?
I say smallness is the start to greatness!
Let’s strive for that, shall we?
Cheers!
Corny Cotter, Sherpa Wife, Small Victory Seeker.
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This is a wonderful reminder, Lindsay. I try to tell people each and every day how grateful I feel for them. And your blog posts are one of the many small pleasures I enjoy during the week so thank you for your genuineness 🙂
I love this! Awesome things aren’t always BIG things, you know?!
I love this , Lindsay! I think being joyful and positive is such a big one because it truly does make a huge difference in your life and the people you are around everyday. The little things really do add up.
yes yes, amen to that Heather!
I love this post so much, Lindsay. It is exactly what I tell myself daily. I am definitely NOT in the place I thought I would be (I wished for marriage, children etc.) BUT I achieved other things, like my recovery which I never dared to dream of. And it all happened with baby steps, smallness, little things.
Happy weekend you corny beautiful lady.
What a great reminder. Typically you get the important reminders (ie. how short life can be) during tragedy, loss, or heartache. It is refreshing to get it on just a normal day. I like these reminders better 🙂 Have a great weekend!
well said friend!
Sometimes I can briefly get trapped in the mindset that I am not successful as I have not achieved anything I consider “big” since graduating Uni – but I have achieved a lot of little things 🙂 Awesome reminder – thank you!!
LOVE this post. I especially love the post about when we’re striving to be good, we often miss the joy in small things. I’m totally guilty of that, and it’s something I’ve noticed recently! I’m working on finding more joy in the small things 🙂
Love this Lindsay! Even if what we do is small, we can always make a great impact, even if it is on one person!
I couldn’t agree with you more. Incremental changes or small steps always lead to something greater. Greatness, bigness, and success are all what we chose to define them as.
Awesome post, girl, and a perfect read for me this morning after coming off 2 very, very busy work weeks. Thank you!!!
So insightful. Small steps is something I stress every day… even if my day is crazy (which is normally is), my goal is to complete at least 1 small thing that will help drive my business forward in some way. Even if that’s sending a thank you letter to my staff, to make them happy. It’s the little things that add up big time in the end!
How did ya get so wise? 😉
I love this post. I want to read it whenever I feel like I’m not doing anything important in life or when I feel generally unproductive. Which unfortunately is often. I love this reminder 🙂
Cheers to greatness in the small things!
I love the Mother Teresa quote. She is one of the most inspiring people to ever walk the Earth. I am just in awe of the giving spirit she had. To live with such purpose to help and serve others–I aspire to live with a fraction of the great love she had!
As you might guess I love this! You are amazing among the most amazing!
That need to be valued [sigh].
I know we have never met in person, but YOU just being YOU made me (and so many more) feel valued and important at a time when I needed it the most.
Big dreams and efforts or small, you have a rare gift of goodness Lindsay. Kiwi is a lucky man 🙂
You’re so dang corny. I love you, Brother.
(Also, one of the reasons I love the mountains is that they make me feel small.)
I love this. I’ve been feeling the urge lately to downsize. To purge. I’ve been craving simplicity. Slowly but surely, I’ll get there.
reasons why all goals must start with baby steps! 🙂
Smallness is so important, small changes usually equal big results! I actually just watched the documentary Tiny about people who live in small houses and it was crazy hearing them talk about small. And what we tend to think about with small. This post just reminded me of all they were talking about. what it truly means to live and enjoy and what we value. Gosh I love this post!
As always, I love your insightful posts! This is such a great reminder for me that God only expects us to faithfully take life a day at a time, to take the small steps He calls us to. Great post!
Such a big fan of this – I set small goals so I can celebrate those small victories…it’s such a great way to stay focused and not get down on yourself. Love all those quotes and Corny Cotter-ness 🙂
Yes!! I am reminded of something my father used to always say to me when I was playing softball, “Do your best and let God do the rest”. If we approach this life with joy and the willingness to follow His will, HE will do the rest according to HIS plan!!
It’s kind of like all those little things each day adding up right?
What a great reminder! Thanks so much for the post!
Love this idea and love that you are looking for the joy in blogging–I think that following our loves and joys equal success anyhow!
I really love this Lindsay! I strive to do small things every single day. No matter how small they matter! Great reminder!
Really, really like this! I find myself quite often wondering how the racing for your husband is going this season. Wishing you both health (and good luck) this season… and crossing my fingers from Idaho!
Love! That Mother Theresa quote is one of my favorites.
Everyday small victories TOTALLY count! I love this post. 🙂
Ohhh so true! Small victories DO count whether we realize it or not. Thanks for the reminder!
I definitely feel small small in this (amazing!) blogging community sometimes and in all my big dreams, but I know I’ll get to where I’m supposed to be in due time! I love that Mother Theresa quote <3 such a great philosophy and one I try to practice regularly!
Er, small sometimes* Way to spell check, me! 😉
i knew whatcha meant. xxoo
I think “comparison” gets in the way of true joy . . . . although I am definitely guilty of being a compare-er at times . . . . .a never-ending work in progress
Exactly what I needed to read this morning. What you wrote about being a successful blogger….I get it….like really GET IT, because that is how I feel. I want to be successful, but in the way that people know I am genuine.
Yes, yes, yes. This reminds me of that email you sent recently. The idea that we shouldn’t be in this for success and being “popular”, but rather to do it for God’s glory. It’s easy to get sucked into that “race” for success, especially when social media is constantly calling our name to do more, more, more. But, it’s the little things that truly count. And those “little” things are often times actually the BIG things. Love you, friend! Thanks for this reminder.
I just love this reminder today, and I love you. No matter how small I feel sometimes, I think about how big God is and how He loves each and every one of us regardless of who or what we are, I feel that I do matter and I do have value.
This is such a great post! It’s so easy to feel overwhelmed and powerless against the large forces and event in life – why not grab that small feeling and turn everything on it’s head? And I totally agree with you on the challenge of having a genuine blog versus a “successful” blog! I actually just wrote a post that mentions that topic! Anyway, awesome post, awesome inspiration and thanks for starting my morning off with a smile! 🙂
http://caseythecollegeceliac.blogspot.com/2014/06/liebster-award-20.html?showComment=1403280476228#c7213765113883713909
This is brilliant – sometimes remembering the small achievements and the small steps equates to big achievements and big steps.
I know I am making small progress with my blog, but it’s progress nonetheless and I embrace it! that makes me smile!
Love this!
“I think I’m suppose to strive towards being a JOYFUL and GENUINE blogger” …mission accomplished. well done, Linds!
<3 you.
Thanks Lindsay; needed this as a reminder this week that small things add up to the big things! Cheers!
wonderful reminder!!!
I love how this post helps me realize that all the little things I do adds up and helps me strive for my best. Often times I underestimate myself and this is just a great reminder that all the little victories are important!
Love this Lindsay. It is nice to think and know that our small efforts really to add up to something huge!
LOVE this!! Just want we needed to read 😉 thank you friend for always bringing a smile to our faces
I always LOVE your words <3
such good words.
Small things ARE big things aren’t they? really? I LOVE the unexpected hello, text, smile, hug, those are sometimes what makes my entire week turn around for the best. Love you – your big and small dreams and all of it wrapped together 🙂
I LOVE your vision on things! I’m all about small efforts – whether that be in our fitness, health, relationships, happiness, etc. I do believe the small efforts are what lead to some of the biggest gains. And I know I can’t strive to be a “big blogger” because the more I do that, the more I think I lose myself in my writing and the content sounds more forced. But when I’m being myself, writing what I want to, I get some incredible content that next thing I know is shared and shared and shared and I see signs of growth I didn’t necessarily expect.
I love this post Lindsay & all the quotes & messages in it, You know I am not a God person but the message is perfect even taking that out for a person like me that just believes in whatever it is out there… I can so relate to feeling small…. I love the message of small acts of kindness & just the whole thing..
You are greatly appreciated in this big blogging world!!!
I love this – I think part of human nature is to want the next big thing or to want to do big things and we forget how important each small step really is. Thanks for the reminder!!!
Oh my friend. You always seem to know what’s in my head and my heart. I’ve been feeling the smallness in life in lots of ways lately and it’s so tied to the need to be valued and acknowledged. But you’re right – the small acts add up! Love you.
You are appreciated and valued –> big and small things. <3 you!
Love that line…Smallness is the start of greatness. I need to tell myself that. I’m not exactly sure where I thought I would be right now but I’m not there and it’s making me uneasy. Beautiful post Lindsay!
but look where you are now.. SMALL things sure do add up, i see it in you! LOTS of VALUE in your life and the life you share with us!
Back with some corny action. Necessary corny action.
you know you love it, corny cotter hug coming at ya!
I’m reading this at 4 am because I can’t sleep. Can’t sleep because I’ve been feeling small. You spoke directly to my heart. You are big in my eyes, and in my life. Thank you so much. Thank you Lindsay.
I absolutely love this post! Definitely the approach we should take. I love the idea of doing the small things well, doing them joyfully, and doing them genuinely and letting God take care of the rest. Really, isn’t that how we’re supposed to approach everything in life?? I love how your posts are always thought provoking and take a fresh perspective. Thank you!
And thank you for supporting this approach! What’s the saying? Let go and Let GOD? AMEN
Well said! (per usual). And girlfriend, you ARE a joyful and genuine blogger…that’s why I read 🙂
Likewise friend. xoxo
Beautiful and such a nice reminder! I feel the exact same way and have been striving to do this on a daily basis. It makes a huge difference…XOXO
Thank you for posting this! It was honestly just what I needed to hear/read today 🙂
glad we can encourage each other friend. xxoo
Love 🙂 I’m a firm believer that it’s the small things that add up to make the biggest difference… and that we often miss those small things (and thus deprive ourselves of happiness) because we’re too busy agonizing over the bigger things that we think we lack. God provides us with all that we need, and if we don’t have something, it’s probably because we either don’t need it or we’re not ready for it.
This is a beautiful inspiration to take things as they come and a reminder to still find and appreciate the beauty in all things. It seems like something so easy and small (yeah I went there) and yet too often we forget to do it in pursuit of whatever we are chasing.
Love your “signature” on this post…so cute! You are so right…it’s the little things that add up to the big things. Thanks for the inspiration!
and thank you for being YOU! xxoo
Lindsay, thank you for taking the words right out of my mouth, and incorporating them with such beautiful quotes!! I love the top two quotes so much. I could live by them. It is so important to be genuine and to take small steps. I must admit that I get caught up in the “get big, be first” mentality that I sometimes forget that may not be what is truly important. I imagine we could be great friends!! Thanks for posting. Thanks for making a great start to my day!
so glad we share those thought together and can support each other!
Thank you for the lovely post my friend. How true and on point it is; this same idea is also partially why I did my Week In Review link up. While it was great to write in list form (oh bliss), it was also wonderful to stop and celebrate all the things you did accomplish no matter how big or small. I think it’s easier to get lost on how much there’s to do everyday and we forget to look back and celebrate all the things we did manage to accomplish. Those things, especially the smalls ones, are what make our worlds go round.
I also loved this bit: being a JOYFUL and GENUINE blogger. I strive to do this in all my posts too, and I will say I find this to be absolutely true with yours. Kudos and thanks for being you.
i love you baby!
Back atcha.
Ah my friend, I don’t know how you know that I want to hear as the last few days, I’ve been struggling with exactly this- small fish in what seems like a really big ocean. Today more than anything, I needed to read this. Love ya and thank you for always keeping everything in perspective.
been thinking about you friend. How are you?!
been meaning to send you an email but this is the first time I’ve had to sit down in weeks! currently on my way to Tremblant for a few days of training
This really resonated with me and everything I’ve been through and struggled with not achieving this year. Thanks for he wisdom! I loved this.
What a great reminder! I really strive to just enjoy blogging but sometimes when you read beautiful blog posts, see beautiful photography, etc. you wonder if you’re doing enough, if you’re doing it right. But that’s not what it is all about. There is so much more. Thank you, again, for the reminder that we are all significant no matter how big the world is.
this is by far one of my favorite quotes of all time !
I appreciate you and your blog so much! You are always so positive and geniune and that 100% shines through with every interaction that you have with others and is one of the many things I admire about you <3 <3
An amazing post! Actually it made me feel better, because small steps are achievable. And at the moment the end goal seems way too big!
Love this! It’s easy to forget that little things all add up when you have your eye on the big picture!
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this sentence: “I think I’m suppose to strive towards being a JOYFUL and GENUINE blogger and let God to plan that rest.”