Big on Small
Ever since seeing Daniel Kitson’s show last week I’ve been slowly obsessing with the small things. The details that are the foundations of great experiences. I’ve no idea if that was the point of the show but it’s what I took away from it. No doubt I’ll be told otherwise.
So. I’ve been taking pictures on the tiny things that lift the everyday into a moment of special. My first real example was this ticket above. Last Tuesday I had to go down south but due to a fire outside Edinburgh all trains were cancelled and re-routed. I decide to abort my trip and head back to the office. Given that I was up at 5am and now heading back to Glasgow at 10am I was in a pretty fowl mood.
I had to buy a ticket in Edinburgh and while on the train back my conductor checked my ticket and punched it. All the usual stuff. But when I checked the ticket I noticed that he had punched a heart into it. I thought that it was amazing, it took a mundane thing into a smiley thing. And the more smiley things that can enter into your life a day, no matter how small, can only be good.
I am now constantly looking out for the tiny details that make for a better life. Join in.
8 Comments to Big on Small
Leave a comment
Recent Comments
- ginger crawford on Not Wrong.
- ginger crawford on In darkest days…
- Ginger Crawford on Putting the social back
- Ginger Crawford on Breathe Deeply
- pipkin on Value
What I'm reading...
- Charlie Brooker: Survive 2009 by learning to love and share. Why not start by frolicking in a bubble bath with a neighbour?Global: Charlie Brooker | guardian.co.uk
- Two Tales of One Cityrexblog
- Thanks Mike Arrington for taking us off the rails into Twitter idiot landScobleizer -- Tech geek blogger
- the tiresome pursuit of excellencerussell davies
- Gee, One Bold Storm coming up….Stephen Fry
- Save Tango!the-ad-pit
- cleeserussell davies
- Potato, Potato, ChipMore Stupid Than the Others
- The sanctity of the CommonsBBC NEWS | Nick Robinson's Newslog
- Three Little Gadgets I am Thankful ForMicro Persuasion
Friendfeed
- Experiencing TrainFail. On the bus home listening to Stevie Wonder. Innervisions is a wonderful adventure in stereo. Best album of the 70's?
- Trains in Glasgow seem to be buggered. I smell lager.....
- Very tired yet the day has flown by.
- Up! Getting ready for work in 2009. Woo. Hoo.
- @nightkhaos checked them but O2 are offering 3 months free and are about £5 cheaper per month. Also they have a pile of good reviews. Cheers
- Not even a documentary on thatcher can send me to sleep. Or ordering broadband from O2. This is boring now.
See Stewart..that is why you do so well at what you do. Where most might just throw the ticket in the trash and have a lousy day, you notice the small details that can make the most ordinary of things a little more special. Kudos to you! Cheers!
Thanks for sharing that Stewart. It’s a great reminder to everyone, that there is goodness to be found even in bad times. Cheers. -K xx
Stewart…it warms my heart every time I find another soul along the journey who enjoys making time to notice the little things. I’ve been somewhat obsessed with finding those “little things” and zooming in on them. Most people don’t notice “in the moment”…but have thanked me later for making the photos available so they can see what they missed when they were standing in the same spot I was. I am sure you will have the same experience. I am excited about this new focus for you! It will make the journey sweeter…
Cheers!
Stewart, I am sitting here at work (I am actually supposed to be working seeing as I AM at work), but I am hooked on your pictures on your Flickr site. I just love, absolutely adore, those pictures of your boys. I remember wistfully when my kids were young - some things I miss like their complete innocence, and other things, well….I don’t miss. But I love seeing other people’s cute darling children. I guess I am at the stage where I am almost (note almost) ready to be a grandma. Not quite old enough yet. *smile*
And, I have now opened up my own Flickr account.
What a lovely simile for life: take the little things and make them into big things. From the everyday moments of your life, a lifetime of experience can build either tomb or temple.
Welcome to the temple of Stewart….
It is indeed the little things in life that can touch us the most. Like looking at individual snowflakes on a snowy day. That is a wonderful little touch that conductor uses, I’m sure it cheers him as well as cheering those who notice the wee heart on their ticket. I love looking for the small details, it’s like finding treasure. I hope you find many such treasures as you go through your days.
Hi Stewart,
I posted a photo at the flikr site. My husband is better at finding little extraordinary thing in unexpected places. I will share more later.
Hope all is well with you.
Peace
Thanks for sharing the heart story - I love how you’ve taken the photo against a pink background and all. I’m very big on finding fascination in small things - but it just makes me boring to most people.