The most
frightening sound in the world is your own heart beating. No
one likes to talk about that, but it is true. In the midst of
deep fear, it’s a secret beast pounding a giant fist on
some inner door, demanding to get in.
Sometimes it is the
smallest thing that
saves us: the
weather growing
cold, a child’s smile,
and a cup of
excellent coffee.
“I firmly
believe in small gestures: pay for their coffee, hold the door
for strangers, over tip, smile or try to be kind even when you
don’t feel like it, pay compliments, chase the
kid’s runaway ball down the sidewalk and throw it back to
him, try to be larger than you are— particularly when
it’s difficult. People do notice, people appreciate. I
appreciate it when it’s done to me. Small gestures can be
an effort, or actually go against our grain but the irony is
that almost every time you make them, you feel better about
yourself. For a moment life suddenly feels lighter, a bit more
Gene Kelly dancing in the rain.”
