The Small Things Count

Does size matter?  Well, you don’t try to paddle in the ocean with a toothpick.  But you also wouldn’t use a kayak paddle to try to get corn out of your teeth.  Use the right tool for the right job.

In our ED191 Health Education training classes we spend the first four weeks teaching “life skills:” skills that help you know yourself better and how to communicate effectively. These are skills like self-awareness, self-esteem, active listening, assertiveness, and stress management.  You use your life skills to improve your relationships with people and your environment.

One of the exercises we have students do is name three good things that happened in the last 24 hours.  The smaller the better.  For example, I watched the Laundry Day (My Freeze Ray) this morning before work, I made a good lunch, and I sang in the car.  When we recognize the positives in our lives, even the small ones, it can help us expand our perception of how life is going.

We are not telling people to ignore their problems and pretend that life is all happy-happy-joy-joy.  But we are asking you to reflect on that fact that life isn’t 100% crappy all the time.  There are good things that happen to us every day.

It takes a conscious effort to focus on the positive events in our life.  We don’t do it naturally.  But when we do recognize it, the negative self-talk and put-downs lose some of their bite.

Give it try for a week: write down three things that went well for you every day. Start here by listing them in the comments below.

And don’t worry too much about size.  It’s more important to develop your skills.

Michael Takahara is a health educator at Student Health. Post comments, suggestions, question here or e-mail Michael.takahara@sa.ucsb.edu, Facebook or Tweet him.)

10 Responses to “The Small Things Count”

1. Megan says:

   October 2, 2009 at 10:05 am

   I had chocolate milk this morning!
   I took my dog for a walk.
   And I got my TB test done for work.
   =)
2. Mara says:

   October 5, 2009 at 3:19 pm

   This is a good reminder…think I’ll do it tomorrow too..
   I swam in the ocean this morning under a full moon
   I woke up next to my buddy & love
   I can hear people laughing from my office window…
3. Michael Takahara says:

   October 8, 2009 at 10:35 am

   I listen to a student talk today about what he wants.
   I filled up my car with gas.
   A humming bird flew by.
4. diana says:

   October 8, 2009 at 11:32 pm

   The sun was shining when I woke up.
   The air smells clean.
   I can smile widely cause my lips aren’t chapped.
5. Michael Takahara says:

   October 9, 2009 at 12:42 pm

   I called in sick today (and not infect my friends at work)
   I slept in
   I ate a oatmeal cookie my roommate made
6. Michael Takahara says:

   October 12, 2009 at 10:31 am

   Warm bed
   View of the islands driving to work
   Free figs
7. Michael Takahara says:

   October 13, 2009 at 8:39 am

   Fit squad
   Rain Clouds
   Roommate Val (goodbye, good fortune in Korea!)
8. Michael Takahara says:

   October 14, 2009 at 9:29 am

   Getting the last parking space
   Rain
   Alternatives to milk
9. Michael Takahara says:

   October 15, 2009 at 10:27 am

   Saying, “Goodnight” in bed
   After the rain air
   Super Cucas
10. Michael Takahara says:

    October 16, 2009 at 9:47 am

    A classroom of 1st graders saying “Good Morning, Mr. Takahara.”

    My car started.

    Made a salad for my partner.