Its the Little Things...

 



"Details create the big picture" (Sanford I. Weill) 

Long a lover of the simple, hidden, miniature and minute, I've been creating vignettes or pieces of a story from the beginning of making a decision to live a successful creative life. It's sometimes so easy to be sucked into the belief in a sort of "Instant Karma" or microwave success. But maybe just maybe its about plugging away day to day in the small things in life, which can lead to a bigger purpose (picture). Sometimes I fantasize about overnight success with visions of camera bulbs and interns at my side, but lately (and maybe this is coming with age) I am happy with where I am now. In the process. Sure, maybe, I have made some mistakes along the way or maybe haven't been wise with my finances, but you better believe I learned from them and chose new paths because of them. So, it has been a "live and learn" process. For example, I began this blog in March 2008, which starts to feel like ions ago in this land of Google Chrome and Tweet Decks. I was pretty clueless and as I am slow learner (well all around slow person), I think I will let myself say "I have come a long way". 

Maybe it was purchasing my very first iPhone this weekend and hearing myself tell the salesman that I need the 16GB for my "online business" ( ... it kinda took me by surprise because it felt so official) that led me to think about progress. Yeah, maybe I haven't been featured in a shelter magazine or had 100,000 site hits in a day, but looking back helps me look forward. Besides, it took Martha Stewart 7 years from the start of her catering business before she had a book deal! 

"It's the little details that are vital.

Little things make big things happen." (John Wooden)

 

The festivities have settled and a new month has dawned.

How do you see yourself today after looking back at where you have come?

What is one little thing you can do today to work toward your larger pursuits? 

images: FRYD + DESIGN, Lobster and Swan via Unicorn Dreams Magazine, Quietland, Kootut Murut, Yvestown

Comments

[Ginny]

LOVE THIS!!! Thanks for sharing your heart. Once again, we are surfing parallel on the same thought (although I am light years behind you in blogland). I love the flash bulbs and intern description.

Regarding your questions, dear wise friend, I am:
1) Still formulating what it is I want and still defining my "purpose". But in that process, I can see a theme of helping people realize their potential in the kitchen rising to the top.

2) I need to give myself a break. After the San Antonio newspaper story, I had only a miniscule increase in site visitors. I felt defeated all day. But a simple comment on my "Roasted Chicken" recipe from a friend who will now brave cooking a whole chicken totally lifted my spirits.

[Heather]

Oh ginny dear! I understand too well the voices you are hearing right now. Im glad that this post resonated with you today. So, despite your confusion thank you for sharing your heart with me here!! That's a step. I would say, you have made your small steps toward your purpose already. (You have me going out and buying Parchment Paper when I had never heard of it before). And yes. you are giving women the power to reclaim their kitchens with fearless abandon. I was thinking about your chicken post too. If my mom hadn't shown me this summer how to cook one I would have not known either... (of course i am still scared to death and can't really justify a whole bird just for myself). But it made me think about all the women who never received that advice or training. Its a high calling to resurrect cooking techniques from the past ,from our ancestors and modernize them for today's cooks. Its a splendid calling and its evident that you have a gift for writing too. It comes naturally for you and its obvious that you are using your talents in that way too. So don't get too caught up in the numbers because they come and go and fluctuate. (but when you are doing your passion they tend to incline pretty quickly). You'll see.

[Brigitte]

What a great post, Heather! Such good questions...hm....

In your comment just above, you talk about your life's calling. I think mine is being a support system for women who are looking to forge their own path. I used to think it was arrogant to try to give advice on my blog, but since I've started using it as a place to talk about the lessons I've learned in my own life, I've noticed a really wonderful response. And that's making me look at my measure of success in a new way. What's thousands of visitors compared to a post or comment that helps one person feel connected and supported?

My blog's mission has changed drastically since I started, but I'm so much closer to my true path than ever before.

[Mitzi Curi]

I enjoyed this post, and definitely believe it's the little things, one after the other, that build a successful business. There aren't any real shortcuts, except for maybe a very lucky few. My favorite saying is "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step". There are many people afraid to take that first step, but it must be taken, otherwise one year from now you'll be standing in the same place.

[Krista]

Beautiful post, Heather. :-) This is EXACTLY how I was feeling today, a lovely sense of OK-ness. I've made whopping mistakes, but it's alright because I'm wiser and savvier now. I've come so far in many areas of my life - though many of them are only things that I see and understand. I see myself as braver, freer, happier, stronger than I was even three months ago. One little thing? Well, today I'm tracking every penny I spend for the next month. That's one little thing I can do. :-)

[Heather]

Isn't it great Brigitte that we have the flexibility and grace to change our direction midstream? Redirect and refocus. I feel like that is what I have been doing here too lately. It's probably your influence that has allowed me to reveal my deeper more relational side here on this lil ole blog.

[Heather]

Mitzi, THank you for stopping by. THis is a beautiful quote. thanks for sharing it with me and for sharing yourself here too! Yes. You can't move forward without that initial step. I always get the visual of Harrison Ford in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade when he has to take that step of faith into a huge open gorge but when he does a path appears? I love that image!!! So true.

[Heather]

Oh Krista,Krista dear! You have been melting my heart here recently! Isn't it interesting how we seem to be on the same page. OUr hearts and lives resonating together! Thank you for your support in the form of comments and thank you for your courage to live !! And WoW! what a HUGE step! Tracking spending is HUGE! Im very impressed. You'll have to let me know how it goes... Hugs to you today!

[Walter]

I have learned a lot since I started blogging more than a year ago. I have learned from my mistakes and learned from my lack. I have become a better person because I have dealt with the challenges that comes with blogging. Now I am taking a step forward and do the thing I fear; but deep within me I know I will succeed.

Let us keep on going. As we persists, success becomes inevitable. :-)

[Stephanie Ryan]

I have come such a long way but I did it day by day. Some of those days were longer then others. For years I stood still while my mind wandered. I finally started to take the steps to move forward and am surprised everyday at the new opportunities coming my way. Overnight success would be amazing but I'm not sure how rewarding it would be. What does that song say... "it's the climb" that is where the good stuff happens. hugs.

[Abby]

Great post, Heather, I really enjoyed this. It's so rare to see overnight success, and to be honest (like Holly pointed out at BYW) so many who do, end up crashing and burning anyway. You have a dream, and the fact that you've developed it and continued on your path with conviction says so much about your determination and passion for what you want to achieve. It's so easy to feel disheartened from time to time (I think we all do) but persistence does pay off.

Beautiful selection of images, by the way!

As for your questions. (1) I have come a long, long way. I so very nearly came unstuck when I was younger and I know how differently life could have gone for me. I'm so proud of where I am and what I've achieved. (2) I'm going to go and pick up my camera and take some photos, because I haven't touched my camera all week :)

[Twiggs]

Hello sweet Heather, how are you? So, a new iPhone with 16gb?? :):) good for you! it was so good to read you in these lines because i often think about this thing... i have started the blog a year ago, but it stood almost private for almost a year... and i have so many plans... i wonder if i am going the right way, if i am going to see and feel it grow. we have all a great path in our lives... sometimes clearer that others! it was soooo good to read you in these lines... have i mentioned that? :) have a good & sweet tuesday! hugs, twiggs