It’s the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen
~John Wooden
I’m a little embarrassed by how poorly I’ve done keeping up with this blog. It’s not as if life has just been dull for the past seven months and I’ve had nothing to take note of. Quite the contrary. There’s been so much to notice, to try to hang on to, so much that’s happened that I don’t even know where to start.
One day, feeling like I wanted to do a blog post, but not sure what I should do it on, I decided that I would start by looking for inspiration in my neighborhood on the walk down the lane from my house to the main road. By the time I got to the end of the road, my problem still wasn’t solved. There were just too many things to notice and to treasure on this one little rocky road that I still didn’t know where to start. I’m so grateful for the friends and family that have been able to visit and have walked with me down this road. They know exactly what I’m talking about.
I don’t even know how to describe this experience of living in Lao and what it’s meant to me. What it’s done to me. And quite frankly, I don’t even know if I’ll be able to understand the full impact of my time here any time soon.
But, I need to start somewhere. Might as well start with a few of the little things that make up my life here.
These little green oranges that cost less than $1 per kilo when they are in season that make such tasty fresh-squeezed orange juice.
Notice the small things. The rewards are inversely proportional
~Liz Vassey
The little bit of traffic during the morning “rush hour” traffic jam at the bike bridges near my house that lasts from about 7:30-7:45 a.m. Yep. That’s about as bad as traffic gets here.
This little family.
For the person for whom small things do not exist, the great is not great.
~Jose Ortega y Gasset
A tiny little snoozin’ snake curled up on the hand of a Buddha statue that a friend of mine and I found on a hike. It’s kind of hard to see, but I promise it’s up there, draped on the thumb.
Buddha wants YOU to obtain Nirvana
This tasty little treat: Tam Mak Kua. Sticky rice with a roasted eggplant dip. I simply can not get enough of this.
These little Hmong cuties all dressed up for the Hmong New Year. Check out the totally unabashed nose-picking. Love. It.
The older I get, the more I’m conscious of ways very small things can make a change in the world. Tiny little things, but the world is made up of tiny matters, isn’t it?
~Sandra Cisneros
A little moment with some novice monks. For the record, they were adding David as a friend on Facebook. 21st century Buddhism.
This little “KFC” next to the Mekong River. Better than the real KFC.
This little guy
This little mamma street dog that comes and waits patiently by my feet when I eat at the noodle soup shop in my neighborhood. She knows I’m a softie and I’ll toss her some treats.
This little kitty that found the best spot in Luang Prabang for a snooze on a chilly evening: next to the oven at the mouth-wateringly delicious wood-fired pizza place near our neighborhood.
My little local market right at the end of our lane where I can get almost everything I need. The ladies there are eternally patient with my terrible Lao skills.
It has long been an axiom of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important.
~Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
