“We do not remember days, we remember moments.” – Cesare Pavese

“Life is filled with small moments that seem prosaic until one has the distance to look back and see the chain of large moments they unleashed.” – Chris Bohjalian

“The little things? The little moments? They aren’t so little.” – Jon Kabat-Zinn

Generally when we think about what defines us, what drives our character, our self-image, thoughts about our existence and our relationships – we tend to think in terms of decades, years, or longer spans of time.  After all, the complexity of who we are, how we think, and what we have come to believe about ourselves and others, must have taken years to develop and cultivate.  Right?

Not really. 

Unfortunately, when you spend some time thinking about it, you begin to realize the importance, the intensity, and the tremendous impact of tiny moments in time – moments that changed how you saw yourself, shaped your views, or altered the direction of your life entirely.

“I don’t love you anymore, in fact; I never really did.”

“I’m sorry, but the test results didn’t come back like we thought they would.”

“Unfortunately, we found someone more qualified to do the work.”

“You’re never going to be good for anything in your life….ever!”

“I thought I could count on you, but I guess I was wrong.”

“I’ll never forgive you for what you’ve done!”

“Why can’t you be more like your sister?”

“Stop hanging around our group!  You’re weird and we don’t like people like you.”

These kinds of tiny moments in time, some lasting only minutes, can change who we are for decades – even a lifetime.  If the moment ignited significant emotions, it burned and etched a memory that can be impossible to remove.  The scarring can define how we see ourselves, how we treat others, how we view relationships, and what becomes of our life.

Think of your own tiny moments and how some of them have lasted decades – lifetimes for you.  But here is also something to consider:   You and you alone can capture the power found in tiny moments – seeing them for what they are and using them to create a beautiful destiny for you and others.

The power isn’t in the tiny moment in time.  The power is within you.  You and you alone give it the significance it bears.

When I think hard about my own, I begin to see how I have allowed another flawed human being, another hurting person, a twisted set of circumstances, to shape me in ways it shouldn’t.

We are all human.  We say things we shouldn’t.  We respond and react in ways that are often selfish, prideful and egotistical.   There is power in rising above a tiny moment in time, to see it in a new light, to see the evil at work within it, and to make decisions to forgive, let go, and give it the actual, true value that it really holds within the larger scheme of things.

You see….taking the power you hold over tiny moments can also drive your character, change your self-image, and renew your relationships 🙂

In fact, learn to use this power along with the power of tiny moments in time to change your destiny and the destiny of others:

“You mean the world to me.  I love you for exactly who you are!”

“You always work so hard and do your best!  Thanks for making my life so much easier!”

“I don’t know what I would do without your friendship.”

“You are one of a kind – someone very special.  We are so happy you are a part of our group!”

“I know what you are facing is hard, but you can count on me.  I’ll be right beside you through it all!”

Use your power today – bringing light and enlightenment to the tiny moments of your past. 

As well, start RIGHT NOW creating tiny moments in time that change who you are and the destiny of others!

God bless 🙂

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” – Psalm 90:12