Digital Voices

Jack’s “This I Believe” podcast

Everything is Small Stuff

By: Jack

As I walk through the halls, looking for a dropped five dollar bill, I think of what my dad told me. “Rule number one; don’t worry about the small stuff. Rule number two, everything is, small stuff”. I thought about it for a while and quit looking for the money. I sat on a bench and realized how much time is wasted looking and pondering small stuff. It may seem large at the moment, but it never affects the rest of my life. I believe, everything is small stuff.

Situations always seem small compared with stuff that is a really big deal. Like death, marriage, divorce, car accidents, or loosing a job. Here are some examples of things that could happen to me or you: I lost five dollars-but I can still go to work and earn that money back. I just got trash thrown at me - but at least I survived the car accident. Why am I so worried about whether or not my team is going to win- when I should be worried about my parents crumbling marriage? Why am I sad, that my pet died- when one of my best friends, is getting married, and I’m the best man! These are a few scenarios where small trivial things can be compared with big stuff.

Even big stuff can seem like small stuff. I lost my job, I can get another one. Plus there are plenty of people around me who care about me. Losing my job means I get a 7 day weekend. I get time to reflect on my life and perhaps catch up with a few friends and family members. Thinking optimistically can help gain confidence, and confidence, is what employers look for.

Ok so maybe I got into a car accident. The car is totaled, but my insurance will help me. Plus a car has no feelings; it’s a materialistic object with no influence on my life-except for how fast I fly through it.

Even a collapsed marriage can seem small. Say Mom and Dad aren’t getting along. It doesn’t mean they don’t love me, or I won’t see one of them ever again; they just can’t live in the same house for the sake of tax purposes. All marriage really is, if you look at it in a literal sense, is a ring on one finger and boxes to fill on many tax forms, jewelry and tax forms are small stuff.

Now death. I view death as not the end, but a new lesson to be learned. When someone dies, I never cry or mourn that person, I smile. I smile because I remember all the stuff they have taught me and the good times we have had. When some one dies, its time to use what that person has taught me, and apply it to my life.

I believe everything is small stuff. No matter what it affects, down the road, it won’t affect me anymore, only unless I let it. I live a happier life when I think of the glass half full, rather than half empty. I believe in keeping an optimistic view to help me see situations as small. Everything is small stuff, and this, I believe.

About Jack:

Jack Joined the Army on November 29th 2006 and is going to boot camp this summer. He originaly wanted to be a Combat Engineer, but was not accepted because of color blindness. Dispite this, he is happy he joined and lives a happy life. He Plans to study Mechanical and Electrical Engineering at MSU while attending ROTC to become an officer in 2 to 3 years.