Little Things Count

I encourage you to think about and answer the following two questions in your own time.

"How can you make the little things count in your life?" and "What do little things count means to you?"

This post is based on May 1988 New Article called "Little Things Count" by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the article.

Elder Wirthlin mentioned, "I have been impressed recently with the thought that this life is made up of little things—little things that count a great deal. I believe that the little things are of great importance in our relationship with ourselves, in our relationship with others, and in our relationship with God.

The Lord has said, “Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great” (D&C 64:33).

I have often thought that some of the most common little things in our lives are the minutes that pass in each hour of the day. For each human being, time is indeed an indispensable resource. It can neither be ignored nor altered. We are compelled to spend it at a fixed rate of 60 minutes every hour. No spigot can be installed to regulate its flow, and no refilling device can replenish its quantity.

The question is not one of managing the clock, but one of managing ourselves with respect to the time we have. Each minute is a little thing and yet, with respect to our personal productivity, to manage the minute is the secret of success.

Relationship with Self

Let us first consider our relationship with ourselves. You must take proper care in your life to see that the little things regarding your personal life are in order. You must learn to care for your health and your mental well-being. 

Our bodies are truly the result of what we eat and the exercise we receive. If we are not wise these little things can soon catch up with us to become major health problems that will limit our success and contribution.

Relationship with Others

With regard to our relationship with others, I often marvel to think of the perfect example that the Lord Jesus Christ provides in all aspects of our existence. If we were to meet him, we would find him refreshingly pleasant and perfect in all his relationships and dealings with each individual.

Patience and long suffering, considered by some to be little things in this life, are some of the crowning attributes in dealing with our fellowmen. Whether it be in athletics, in business, or in our Church associations, if you can acquire these two great attributes, you will find that you really can work with people and have a good influence in their lives.

President Spencer W. Kimball said:

“I have learned that it is by serving that we learn how to serve. When we are engaged in the service of our fellowmen, not only do our deeds assist them, but we put our own problems in a fresher perspective. When we concern ourselves more with others, there is less time to be concerned with ourselves.

So often, our acts of service consist of simple encouragement or of giving mundane help with mundane tasks, but what glorious consequences can flow from mundane acts and from small but deliberate deeds! God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs. Therefore, it is vital that we serve each other in the kingdom”

Relationship with God

As children of our Heavenly Father, we each have within us every potential of character, of compassion, joy, and of knowledge that we need in our quest for personal growth. The seeds for each godly character trait are in each of us. With that assurance, we are truly able to grow toward godhood as he has commanded us

We must give attention to the detail that will help us to grow and develop in our relationship with God. We should heed the words of the prophet Alma to his son Helaman, “But behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass” (Alma 37:6).

Lucifer is a master at step-by-step deception. He can make little things seem so harmless when, in reality, they will quickly bind the soul and destroy the spirit. He can make immodest dress and suggestive behavior seem very acceptable. He can cause us to think that a little indiscretion in speech and manner is still quite wholesome. But soon those little steps repeat themselves in an ever-descending pattern until one is at a far-lower level than ever imagined.

I suggest, on the positive side, that we watch for all possible little opportunities to overcome evil and increase our spiritual strength. We must let virtue garnish our thoughts unceasingly, that our confidence will wax strong in the presence of God (see D&C 121:45)

These little things, which, in reality, become such big things, bring perspective to our lives as we learn to conquer them one by one in our effort to gain more and more strength. And this we do in a spirit of humility and gratitude to our Heavenly Father.

We should try to live every day with absolute faith, for we have learned in life that the Lord keeps his promises and watches over those who trust Him. He has been so good to all of us that we should have a profound conviction that He must really love us in spite of our faults."

I encourage you to read the whole article in your own time. Here's the link below.

www.lds.org/new-era/1988/05/little-things-count

If you can't see the Image that I shared on this post, it says "There are SIMPLE THINGS that we do everyday and you never know when that little thing is really going to MAKE A DIFFERENCE in someone's life - John Hilton."

I would love to share with you a quick experience that I had yesterday. Yesterday, while I was at Altandi Train Station, my friend Ashlee, went to go to the toilets and I was talking to a woman named Donna. Me and her were getting to know each other a little, and she mentioned about she forgot to get her wallet and her gocard.

So I mentioned to her that I was happy to give her $20 and it will be enough to where she was going to. She asked me if I was sure. I answered, "Yes I am sure." She was very happy and blessed that I was able to help her out. Me and her exchange our phone numbers right before she left. I was very grateful for the opportunity that I had with Donna. 

Stay Tuned until next time.