By Dawn Onley

Don’t overlook the small stuff: the hugs, the bedtime stories, the foot rubs and family dinners.

When you’re counting your blessings, these things are just as important — if not more — than the big stuff. It’s these little moments that create the memories of a person, place or time. The little moments, spread out over a span of time, paint a rendering of our stories and form the melody of our songs.

The little moments are the main course of our everyday existence. The big stuff gets all the attention, but when I look at my big moments, I’ve come to see them as the icing on the cake. My life was already sweet because of the small stuff.

Learn to cherish the small stuff. We are conditioned to think of success as something big, but in actuality success is found in the small stuff that we do consistently, over time. It’s the same way with relationships of all types. Not much is jumpstarted over night. It’s built by the small moments.

The bedtime stories. The phone call to a friend. A cup of coffee prepared just right. The talks with your grandmother. A movie with your spouse. The compliments. The smiles. The family time. An early morning stroll. A delicious meal. A hug. A kiss. A luxurious bath. Reading a good book. An inspiring word. Crossing off items on your to-do list. Being able to bless someone just because you have been so blessed.

Cherish it all. The small stuff is what life is all about.