A Win is a Win is a Win - None Big or Small
A reflection on maladaptive constructs
In a recent email newsletter, a Brilliant Mind, Amit Varma (and a personal hero of mine), wrote about the importance of recognizing small wins. His perspective struck me on the pursuit of grand goals. He suggested that this pursuit often leads to disappointment and a sense of wasted time. Instead, he proposed that we find joy in the more minor things in life. This got me thinking about our perception of 'small' and 'big' wins, and I've realized that this categorization might not be as accurate as I believed. There's a layer below big and small wins, which are wins.
Imagine receiving a call from a doctor informing you that you have a terminal illness and only a month left to live. What changes would you make in your life? Consider the marvels of our everyday existence when we talk about 'small' things, we often overlook the grandeur of the seemingly mundane aspects of our lives - these could be small but extraordinary in many different contexts. For instance, did you know that most of us have a functioning body attached to a conscious apparatus that allows us to sense the world and a vision system that converts photons falling on our retina into intelligible information in our brain, a heart that beats 1,00,000 times per day circulating all sorts of essential nutrients? These are not insignificant occurrences happening to us without us ever really making an effort daily!
In advocating for this way of life, I feel a need to highlight the benefits of mindfulness in my personal experience. By practicing it, I have remained equanimous and appreciative of the blessings present in my life that previously went unnoticed, no matter how events unfolded in my life. As a result, my days are filled with appreciation for these triumphs, whether standing on my feet or recovering from injuries like cuts, broken bones, or dislocated joints. I am also thankful for the achievements I persevere towards, such as drawing abstract figures, writing blogs, and interacting with individuals from different professions and schools of thought on my podcast (Don’t forget to check those out: The Idea Sandbox Podcast). All these experiences are blessings, and I am grateful for every moment!
Is it time for us to start celebrating all of our victories, regardless of how we have traditionally categorized them or ignored them? I believe so - there’s more happiness for all of us to revel in! They say that you never truly appreciate something until it's gone. However, what if we started celebrating so regularly that the disappointment of losing something wouldn't be as intense because we genuinely enjoyed it while we had it? Whether it's the ability to open our eyes and see the world around us or achieving a grand goal, all victories are significant! They make our lives richer and more fulfilling in a compounding, additive way.
Here’s to acknowledging these big and small victories and celebrating the richness they bring to our lives. After all, a victory is a victory, and every victory is worth celebrating.
Cheers. Love and Peace.
The Curious Nobody