Written by Henning Weigand | Most of us lead busy lives. Life has become incredibly fast-paced, and there are countless distractions today, especially mobile phones. It’s easy to let small, interesting moments—and even significant ones—pass by without actively noticing them. But both small and big moments matter in our lives. While we tend to focus on the big things, the small things around us can also make a real difference.
You’ve probably heard of the Admiral who gave a speech at the University of Texas, inspiring people far beyond the military to make their bed in the morning as a way to achieve the first success of the day. I find this idea great. But beyond that, I think it’s important to actively pay attention to other small things as well. For example, when you wake up in the morning, instead of rushing to get ready for work, take a moment to open the window. Pay attention to the birds tweeting, watch the leaves moving with the wind, listen to the sounds around you, observe the colors, and actively notice the scent of the plants. I believe it’s crucial to seize these moments, not just let them pass by, but to truly appreciate them.
Right now, as I’m writing this, I’m on a train traveling through Germany. It’s a late summer day, and my seat is by the window, with the landscape passing by. There’s so much life out there, so many small things worth actively noticing. The beautiful green fields look like a painting, the trees along the train track, the forest-covered hills, a small country road winding up and down all the way to the horizon. In the distance, on a mountaintop, there’s a medieval castle with an impressive fortress tower. To the left, there’s a small, pretty village with a church tower in the center, and in front of it, horses are running across a field. A small river surrounded by greenery flows calmly downstream. There’s a cyclist riding along a small unpaved road, and above, an airplane is flying high in the sky, leaving a white trail that adds a touch of clouds to the otherwise perfect blue sky.
Listening to some relaxing music or a podcast while paying attention to these small details is calming, relaxing, and adds value to my well-being. Carpe diem. If you haven’t tried this yet, give it a shot—maybe it will add some value to your life as well.
