Kelly's World | It’s the little things that matter

“Perfect happiness is a beautiful sunset, the giggle of a grandchild, the first snowfall. It’s the little things that make happy moments, not the grand events. Joy comes in sips, not gulps.” – Sharon Draper

 

It’s amazing the things that make you feel like life isn’t so bad after all.

Years ago, I was watching a local entertainment programme. They were showing clips from a fashion show and the beat of the song they used in the background became stuck in my head.

However, because I couldn’t really hear the lyrics, it was always going to be almost impossible to find the song.

For years, I thought I got close a few times. I even found a few songs that sounded like they were from the same singer, but never could get that elusive one.

To be honest, after a while, I stopped actively searching and kinda forgot about it.

But, last week, while plodding along in traffic, a million things on my mind, I heard it.

FINALLY!

I wasn’t sure at first, but a quick turning up of the volume confirmed it; I had actually found the flipping song! Thank you, Music 99!

Now, I had to make sure that I heard the words this time, because if I didn’t, heavens knows when I’d hear the song again.

The task was difficult for two reasons. One, the singer’s voice sounded ‘metallic’ (I guess a product of the song’s era) so not all words came across clearly.

Second, look yah nuh! You waan see me a try to listen radio while remembering say a drive me a drive.

Eventually, I heard the song’s chorus and realised that I have known the title for some time but didn’t know it was for that song. Imagine that.

You’re wondering where I’m going with this, right? Well, in the wider context of the universe, this isn’t a discovery like finding life on other planets or if the Loch Ness monster is real.

But it proves to me (again) that you don’t need much to feel happy.

Admittedly, I tend to put things on my brain that have no place being there. So any ‘eureka’ moment is met with a big grin.

I remember when I was a child, spinning gigs and playing marbles (I was never good at either) were all some children needed.

There were no video games (not for many of us anyway), certainly no social media, and who did have cable or (satellite) dish, good fi dem.

It was ‘little’ things that brought smiles to our faces.

As grown-ups, we sometimes tend to become bogged down with more responsibilities and lose track of the little joys.

I’m talking about stuff like calm Sunday evenings (preferably at home), watching football while having a cold beer, trying on a fresh new pair of sneakers you bought because the company gave you a little extra ‘butter’.

These things may not seem that huge, but for a beleaguered mind, they are priceless. Find the little stuff, people.

By the way, are you wondering what’s the title of the song? Ah, that’s another column. Later.

- Link me at daviot.kelly@gleanerjm.com.