March 16, 2016

All About the Little Things (Blog Hop)

"It's the little things in life." For many, easier said than done, right? Remembering to be mindful of the little good things to counterbalance all the little (and not so little) bad things that happen, day in and day out, can be difficult. Or at first even impossible. 

I read once that we're actually wired to remember the bad more—that negative experiences stand out more vividly in our minds in order to protect us. Basically, remembering that a berry tastes good (positive memory) is great, but it isn't going to save your life. Remembering that fire=burning yourself=ow (painful/negative memory) will prevent you from repeating the mistake of sticking your finger in the fire. So apparently, we're supposed to remember the bad things more easily, to help us avoid making the same mistake in the future, and in a biological sense, save our lives.

Now the issue of whether remembering a mistake helps us avoid it, especially when it comes to murkier situations than fire=hot, can be a whole series of posts on its own. Today, however, we're here to talk about the little things. Those small moments that nevertheless manage to stand out, and make us happy. 

As an author, that can be seeing someone purchased a copy of my book. (Yes, every individual sale matters that much to me right now. Maybe someday, if I ever sell hundreds of books a day, it won't. But right now, each sale boosts my mood.) Or, it could be learning someone enjoyed my book. And in fact, I don't think of either of those as "little."

In the rest of my life, many simple things make me happy. Because life is hard, for so many reasons, and I've had to learn to focus on even the "smallest" moments of good in order to make it through the day—though really, none of these moments is all that little either:

Seeing my nieces, especially if they're laughing. Hearing from a friend, even if just to say hi. Not having to cancel plans because of pain. Learning someone I care about has had something good happen. 

I could go on for a while, but that's not why we're here. Because we're wired to pay more attention to the small things—great and small—getting into the habit of even noticing the small good things can be a difficult and lengthy process. So while I encourage you all to try to notice the good little things, I'm going to kick it off for you with something that will hopefully brighten your day right away: a giveaway hop!


With over 100 blogs & authors are participating, you have many chances to win, both in the main Rafflecopter at the end of this post, and in each individual giveaway! I'll be giving away a Mending Heartstrings bag to one lucky US winner, and an e-copy of either one of my novels (winner's choice) to an international winner. And once you've entered, hop on over to the next post at Paula Kennedy Books!

My Giveaway



a Rafflecopter giveaway


Blog Hop Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

29 comments

  1. my morning coffee with snuggles from my 2 doggies boots my mood

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  2. A funny comment on one of my TV shows or a humorous line in a good book. Mr Wonderful laughing over something stupid.
    sherry @ <a href="http://www.fundinmental.com/" rel="

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    1. Aww, those are some great ones, Sherry! Especially love the one about Mr. W :)

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  3. First, thanks for the great fun! I love this Blog Hop. It's how I found your site and book. I try to appreciate something "little" everyday... a smile from a stranger, a busy house full of love, my dorky dogs who greet me at the door & follow me to the bathroom (god forbid I try to tinkle alone.), the guy on the freeway who lets me merge instead of cutting me off.

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    1. That's so great! Focusing on the small good things really helps keep life in perspective, I think.

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  4. Thank you for participating! I've had a blast! My little things are books, puzzles, mosaics and my family!

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  5. Thanks for the awesome giveaway and hop.....my little things are long walks,reading books, spending time with family,and crafting.......

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  6. thank you for doing this hop #littlethings my morning coffee and snuggles with my doggies

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  7. Loving these answers. You guys are sharing some wonderful little things!

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  8. Thank you for being a part of this hop! Awesome giveaway! I would love to have that bag to take to author events! :-)
    Today I am thankful for homemade raspberry jam and the warm thumbprint cookies I am about to eat!

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    1. Not gonna lie, the bags came out pretty fantastically—and they're big and convenient :-) Those cookies sound pretty awesome too!!

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  9. Things that boost my mood is cranking up my tunes and bleach-cleaning my kitchen. Oh ya. :-)

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    1. Very nice! What kind of music goes best with bleach cleaning? ;)

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  10. Thank you for the chance
    Lil things I love are reading and getting to spend time with family
    Music always makes me happy
    Mostly country but like every thing :)

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  11. Playing with my 2 rescue cats boosts my mood.

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  12. cuddling with my kids :) and reading books :)
    Thanks for this giveaway :)

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  13. Thank you for being a part of this hop! Awesome giveaway!
    friends and family AND books

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  14. Playing with my kids and drinking coffee boost my mood!

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  15. I guess I shouldn't be surprised that so many of you list books, but that's so wonderful, too! If more people spent more time reading, maybe we'd all be happier :D

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  16. Hugs from my kids, mom, and sisters.

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  17. Hugs from my kids, mom, and sisters.

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  18. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  19. I like listening to music and singing loudly and badly.

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  20. I did everything you asked.
    Thank you for the chance to win a great prize.
    I love hearing my grandchildren laugh, see them smile and I love their hugs and kisses.
    I also love my kindle which holds all my books and is always beside me.
    Can't forget my cats, they put a smile on my face even when I'm in pain.

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  21. My kids and a good book boost my mood :)

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