Keep Small Things Small

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“You wanna fly, you got to give up the shit that weighs you down.” – Toni Morrison

The other day Mr D was upset and Miss O shared the wisdom, “Keep small things small.” I was taken by the phrase and asked her to tell me more after we got past our speed bump.

“It’s something Ms. Park says,” she elaborated providing the example that her second grade teacher, Ms. Park, said it the other day when there was a fly in the classroom. All the kids in the first row were trying to “attack it,” in Miss O’s words and Ms. Park wanted them to settle down. “Keep small things small.”

I thought of the parking problem I had the other day when I was turning around to take the space and someone slid right in. I was on the verge of making it a bigger story about how tough life is when someone made me laugh and I let it go.

It also reminded me of when Mr. D punched his sister in the gut the other day as they were wrestling. She said it hurt and he said he was sorry and they moved on. If they continue to be able to do that, it seems less likely that they’ll create a pattern of feeling disrespected and hurt that has plagued my siblings’ relationship in adulthood.

Keeping small things small speaks to me of airing wounds before they fester, identifying patterns before they become bad habits, stopping the internal dialogue before it goes on a self-critical rampage. It helps nail me to the present before I pile on added layers of time and repetition until whatever it is that is bugging me becomes unrecognizable. It means don’t hurt myself trying to attack a fly, whatever the metaphorical fly may be.

So here’s a new note to self courtesy of classroom 219 and all our brilliant and dedicated teachers: “Keep small things small.”

(featured photo from Pexels)

47 thoughts on “Keep Small Things Small”

  1. I absolutely love this post, Wynne; thank you for sharing the wisdom with all of us. It’s so true; and when we practice this daily, that attitude becomes ingrained as our “go-to.” Years ago, when “i” was going through some very challenging times, my doctor stated: Life by the inch is a cinch; by the yard, it’s hard.” The principle is the same, but I like Miss O’s and her second-grade teacher’s expression better.

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  2. Such a valuable life lesson, courtesy of Ms. Park and Ms. O! I absolutely love it. And like the one Art mentioned, phrases like this are easy to remember, so we can pull them out of our pocket quickly. Those are the best kind! I also love the fact that Ms. O was listening. She not only really heard it, but she knew how to apply it. Lots to love in this post, Wynne! Thank you! 🤍

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  5. I love the comments above — yes to all of that! Always a good reminder for me…the person who can take a few sprinkles of rain and turn them into a monsoon…I just can. Call me drama queen…but any reminder to contain the small stuff. Whoa — good way to start a Monday! 😊😊😊

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  10. “Keeping small things small speaks to me of airing wounds before they fester, identifying patterns before they become bad habits, and stopping the internal dialogue before it goes on a self-critical rampage. It helps nail me to the present before I pile on added layers of time and repetition until whatever it is that is bugging me becomes unrecognizable. It means don’t hurt myself trying to attack a fly, whatever the metaphorical fly may be.”

    I have been seeing how this practice has helped me, for by facing things head-on when they happen, they’re invariably so much easier to unravel than if we leave them to grow and fester.

    I love Ms. Park’s phrasing, simple yet effective! Bravo!

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  11. If Ms. Park retired immediately, she still would have accomplished a world of good by sharing wisdom that has already made a difference. Some people live long lives without doing as much.

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  13. I like this saying. It rings true to me. I often remind myself that something is no big deal, which is kind of the same idea, but maybe less positive than reminding myself to keep small things small.

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  14. What a wise advise from Ms Park and Ms O. It is so true of how to face things that muck up our day head on before they fester and become bigger. Or to let things go because they’re just worth our time and energy.

    A great mantra I will repeat to myself as I face the rest of this week ahead!

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  15. Well, I really could have used this wisdom last week, when I was Christmas shopping! It’s particularly relevant this time of year when we as humans seek to worship the birth of a small child, with a plethora of decorations, too many presents, and Martha Stewartish entertaining. We really don’t know how to keep small things small. I love this. So simple. Small. Manageable. Hugs, C

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    1. Oh, I hadn’t thought of this in relation to Christmas — but wow, you have such a great point! Yes, keep it simple — and small!! Beautiful point, Cheryl!

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  20. Our little Ms. O comes to the rescue again with very sound advice! And now you know she is very attentive in the classroom, and I am sure a delightful student in Ms. Park’s class.

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  21. What great advice. I often ask my clients, students “Is this going to matter in five years?” If not, take a deep breath if yes, take a deep breath, and start figuring out the realistic (small) steps to overcome the issue.

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