An infected finger at first glance is a rather small thing. But it is amazing how the pain associated with it can completely dominate one's entire life. Nothing can distract from the continuous pain that pulses in the digit -- and one's entire life focuses on dealing with the agony and incapacity that such a small appendage can induce.
Nor does such a small limb cure easily. After six weeks of antibiotic treatment, including a boring two weeks confined to a hospital room and two weeks of home nurse daily visits, healing is still incomplete.
This experience has made me think again about how important seemingly little things can be in a person's life, and how easily we can underestimate or even neglect the effect they can have -- for good or bad. A kind word can nourish self esteem and personal growth and achievement. A careless remark or failure to notice someone can contribute to untold self-harm.
Maybe we pay too much attention to the BIG things in life, and not enough to the seemingly insignificant little things.
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