Slice of Life Story Challenge March 2 -All the Small Things

Yesterday I walked around the house consciously collecting small objects. It’s important to notice small things. -Teeny, tiny things. Microscopic things. Things that almost need a magnifying glass in order to be noticed, observed and appreciated. In fact it’s good to actually go all the way and look at wondrous objects through a magnifying glass. When we do, wonders begin to reveal themselves, just as they did when we were kids.

Small things are precious.  It is akin to holding a baby or a bird's egg.  Small things must be handled mindfully.  Their fragility requires this level of care.  Small things like my wife Vicki, who is in fact, petite. As well as her petite appearance,  she's also very precious to me. So, I can't engage her in the latest craze of 'koala-ing.'  Such an unexpected latching onto, could result in serious injury.  In my more exuberant  moments she frequently reminds me that she is ‘Birdbones.’  -in recognition of her delicate frame. By comparison, I feel rather brutish. hence the moniker, ‘Crusher.’

In the world surrounding us, small things await discovery. Our eyes need to focus and seek out these small wonders- itsy-bitsy, teeny- weeny, miniature marvels. Beauty can be found in small packages as they say. We need to experience Lilliputian moments to notice these small marvelous things…

I placed my collection of gathered small things in an old wooden cigar box and took a photograph. I now possess a rich source of possible story elements from which to select.  I can insert them into my writing as fine details – a picture hook, a match stick, a safety pin, a price tag, a seed. They serve as a reminder to keep my observational skills sharply honed.









Comments

  1. Amy Rudd2 March 2013 at 19:29

    All the small things in your collection are interesting to see...small things like these are non-existent at our house right now because of our little toddler...in another year or so, I am certain things like this will reappear once again...

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    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright3 March 2013 at 15:29

      It will happen again Amy. It's part of the cycle of life.

      Delete
  2. BK2 March 2013 at 21:16

    Morning Alan and good to see you back for another March! I always get something exciting when I read one of your posts...and I do take your advice... good that I read this post before I began my day...
    Bonnie

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    1. Alan j Wright3 March 2013 at 15:31

      Thanks Bonnie, Hope your walk reveals much in the way of small wonders for your keen eye to witness.

      Delete
  3. drferreriblogspot.com2 March 2013 at 21:56

    Sounds like someone is honing that writerly eye. It's what we ask our students to do" look differently at their lives and notice the little things. You gave me an idea this morning. Thanks for the long distance mentoring!

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    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright3 March 2013 at 15:32

      Absolutely Anita! I remain eternally grateful to Annie Dillard who taught this invaluable lesson of noticing the small details. We write with our eyes, ears and our hearts.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous2 March 2013 at 21:58

    Being observant of small things is a challenge in our hectic lives! Thank you for the reminder to "focus and seek out small wonders."
    Catherine

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    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright3 March 2013 at 15:34

      Catherine, this remains the challenge -pushing back the hectic nature of our lives, so that we consciously quarantine some time to observe and appreciate.

      Delete
  5. Unknown2 March 2013 at 23:49

    Small things must be held mindfully. Thank you for this poetic reminder.

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    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright3 March 2013 at 15:36

      It was Brain Cambourne who revealed the important matter of mindfulness to me. I remain forever indebted.

      Delete
  6. LibraryDragon/Storykeeper2 March 2013 at 23:56

    The photograph nade me think of so many possibilities as your words tumbled over the thoughts they evoked. The combination gave me many ideas. I alwats enjoy reading your posts.

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  7. Ruth Ayres3 March 2013 at 01:37

    Your writing of small resonates with me. I loved the photo.
    Ruth

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    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright3 March 2013 at 15:37

      Thanks Ruth, your observations are always valued. Photographs help me immensely in my quest to improve as a writer. They force to look more deeply, more carefully...

      Delete
  8. Terje 3 March 2013 at 04:10

    The photo looks like a postcard. I like how you start and end with small objects with a paragraph about your wife in the middle.

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    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright3 March 2013 at 15:40

      Thank you Terja. My wife is at the centre of all things I do, so it's appropriate to include her in my piece. I deliberately presented the photo in this way to create that old world look to it. Glad you noticed it.

      Delete
  9. fireflytrails3 March 2013 at 07:15

    My favorite line is, " Small things must be handled mindfully." this is absolutely true, although often overlooked. I appreciate how you connect life to writing, always. I can't wait to read about some of the small objects you collected.

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    1. Alan j Wright3 March 2013 at 15:42

      Maybe, they might become story elements in some the fictional pieces I am working with at present. In my notebooks, I am trying out 'fictional fragments' I will keep working on it. Thank you for the hint.

      Delete
  10. Kristen Kilpatrick3 March 2013 at 07:59

    I love your picturesque box of "things". Small objects, can bring big ideas and big treasures.

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    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright3 March 2013 at 15:42

      Big rewards from small things perhaps Kristen?

      Delete
  11. elsie3 March 2013 at 09:47

    Looking back through your post, I marvel at all the words you have used to conjure up small. Great reminder, I try to look for that too.

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    1. Alan j Wright3 March 2013 at 15:44

      It's hard to deny the word lover that dwells within us Elsie. Important...More power to you.

      Delete
  12. Anonymous3 March 2013 at 10:53

    The work of noticing that you so nicely describe is, I've come to realize, a central pillar of any English classroom, program, curriculum. If students can become attuned to this level of perception, the rest of what we'd like them to do would (I think, quite easily) follow. I'd like to use this post and picture in a writing prompt, if it's okay with you.

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    Replies
    1. Alan j Wright3 March 2013 at 15:49

      Thank you for your considered feedback. Always appreciated. I am honoured that you want to use these words regarding small things. Of course, I am more than happy to be of assistance. I totally agree with your comments regarding student awareness. We can turn on their eyes through our own practiced observation of the immediate and accessible world of wonders.

      Delete
  13. Tam3 March 2013 at 11:55

    Love precious, small things. Your title invited me in. So glad you included your lovely wife. I use to think writing should always be about the "large" and world changing events. I now feel at home writing about my small world. Like your picture box. Boxes are magical things, too.

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    1. Alan j Wright3 March 2013 at 15:50

      Ah Tam, you have given me another idea. Boxes, what a wonderful focus for reflection.

      Delete
  14. Diana Martin4 March 2013 at 08:39

    When I read your piece, I admit I went right to your photograph, then back to your piece, then back to the photograph again. Your writing made me think about the tiny things I might find in a drawer and the stories those things might be able to tell.

    ReplyDelete

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