It's the Little Things by Misha Herwin

 

Scrolling through my phone this morning I saw the quote that inspired this blog. Not realising it at the time I got up and went to do something else at which point what I wanted to write was fully formed but there was no way I could find the exact quote I wanted to use. So instead of a few pithy words I am ambling through this long introduction, which is a little ironic as I want to write about how the small things in life are the ones that can bring joy.

This is especially true when it comes to evaluating success. I don’t make a living out of my writing. I’m not sure if I even cover the costs on some of my books, nor am I well known for what I do. I can’t say therefore if being in the best seller list would make me any happier than I am. Initially I suspect there would be a moment of euphoria, a sense of achievement at having finally been validated by the rest of the world. But how long would that last?

In the event, this is a question I will never have to answer. What I do know is that those moments of recognition by other people, which might never be replicated in sales or fame, are the ones that spark joy and tell me that what I do does matter.

Years ago, I was talking to another member of the drama group I go to about “Shadows on the Grass.” I had no idea she would buy it or that having read it she would go to the trouble of writing me a note. Kept safe in my Feel Good Box it finishes reads “I am 99 this year and so glad I have lived long enough to enjoy your writing.”

More recently, this year’s World Book Day I heard that the daughter of a friend of a friend had gone to school dressed as Amelia, the apprentice witch from “The Awesome Adventures of Poppy and Amelia.” It’s impossible to describe the bound of joy I felt when I was told this and even now I’m smiling as I type. As for my fellow author, granddaughter Maddy, her response came in a single word  “Wow” followed by a star burst emoji.

 Poppy, Amelia and their vampire friend Mia as drawn by Maddy aged 9