Little Things

Some people find it challenging to talk about themselves, to describe who they are and what makes them… them. I am not one of those people. 😊 In February 2024, I turned 50 and celebrated by posting about myself for 50 days leading up to the big day. I am, after all, my favorite topic.

Yesterday marked the start of a new year. To honor the occasion, I visited a trail to begin the year surrounded by nature. I love the fresh air, admiring God’s handiwork, and spending time in thought and prayer. There’s something deeply symbolic about starting my year this way—it brings me joy and helps me center myself in gratitude.

On my walks and hikes, I usually take pictures of the things around me. What I love most about being an amateur photographer 😉 is noticing the small details others might pass by without a second thought. Whether it’s something above me or tucked away, I take the time to stop and capture it. Sometimes it is something common, but I see it from a different perspective. It can be as simple as a creative tilt to my shots because moments don’t always need to be perfectly straight or centered to be beautiful.

Yesterday was no different. While crossing a bridge, I spotted a knot in the lumber and paused to take a picture. It turned out to be my favorite photo of the day.

Later, as I headed back to the parking lot, I noticed a building with an outer wall covered in graffiti. While some people may not appreciate graffiti, I find it beautiful, so I made my way closer to admire it. Along the wall, I discovered a small plant growing through a hole in the cement. Noticing the little things allowed me to capture that delicate and beautiful moment.

I love focusing on the small details because they make me pause, reflect, and sometimes wonder. I often take artistic photos from unique perspectives, tilting the lens or framing them unconventionally. Over time, sharing these photos on social media has become part of my identity, if you will. It’s reached a point where some people have come to anticipate it from me. On a trip to Chicago last year, my sorority sisters and I passed a staircase adorned with sunflowers. One of them pointed it out and said, this looks like something you’d take a picture of. She was right, and I did.

Boyz II Men has a song, Little Things, where they sing, “Little things mean a lot, appreciate what you got. If you give what you have, it forever will last.” Those lyrics resonate with me because I deeply appreciate the little things—they bring me so much joy. Sharing them with others is my way of encouraging people to notice the beauty that’s often overlooked. Maybe, just maybe, it will inspire someone to look up,

or down, and see something that someone else might miss.

There is beauty and inspiration everywhere—if only we take the time to notice the little things.