It's The Little Things
A Walk Down Memory Lane56 total reviews
Comment from Robert Louis Fox
Strongly set essay thesis. Dilemma: people are born happy and battered by burdens into sadness. Solution: some people dwell in unhappiness, but there is an alternative.
In support of the premise the author presents a first person anecdote describing a refocusing exercise. The author lists happy things. The premise is further supported by a nostalgic dialogue reviewing the list and uplifting the reader in the process. A supporting proposition is offered that the exercise demonstrates happiness is a choice, and with practice, the physical act of making a list of good things in life can evolve into a happy outlook, answering the dilemma posed in the first paragraph.
The moral of the essay: Do not to dwell on sadness, but to concentrate on the positive aspects of one's life. The thesis is clearly stated. The theme is fully developed with supporting statements, and the topic is given a coherent summary.
reply by the author on 14-Nov-2015
  |
Strongly set essay thesis. Dilemma: people are born happy and battered by burdens into sadness. Solution: some people dwell in unhappiness, but there is an alternative.
In support of the premise the author presents a first person anecdote describing a refocusing exercise. The author lists happy things. The premise is further supported by a nostalgic dialogue reviewing the list and uplifting the reader in the process. A supporting proposition is offered that the exercise demonstrates happiness is a choice, and with practice, the physical act of making a list of good things in life can evolve into a happy outlook, answering the dilemma posed in the first paragraph.
The moral of the essay: Do not to dwell on sadness, but to concentrate on the positive aspects of one's life. The thesis is clearly stated. The theme is fully developed with supporting statements, and the topic is given a coherent summary.
Comment Written 14-Nov-2015
reply by the author on 14-Nov-2015
-
So nice to have someone read and 'get it'!! Thanks very, very much for your time and in-depth review.
Comment from GracieAnn
This What makes you happy? contest entry is touching with its nostalgia and pays tribute to a wise mother who didn't ignore needs but helped redirect thinking. Great job sharing your story. :0 GracieAnn
reply by the author on 14-Nov-2015
|
This What makes you happy? contest entry is touching with its nostalgia and pays tribute to a wise mother who didn't ignore needs but helped redirect thinking. Great job sharing your story. :0 GracieAnn
Comment Written 13-Nov-2015
reply by the author on 14-Nov-2015
-
Thanks so much for reading and for your kind words.
Comment from barkingdog
In today's day and age with all of the wars at hand, we should be thankful for the small things that make us happy.
I wonder what the refugees would write on their tablet?
I loved the way your mother turned your mind around to look at the positive things in life.
Very well written. Clear and well thought out.
Nice dialogue--very natural.
Good luck in the contest.
:) e
reply by the author on 14-Nov-2015
|
In today's day and age with all of the wars at hand, we should be thankful for the small things that make us happy.
I wonder what the refugees would write on their tablet?
I loved the way your mother turned your mind around to look at the positive things in life.
Very well written. Clear and well thought out.
Nice dialogue--very natural.
Good luck in the contest.
:) e
Comment Written 13-Nov-2015
reply by the author on 14-Nov-2015
-
I feel certain I need all the luck I can get in the contest! Thanks. I have pondered the refugee's list of 'happy things' and can't imagine what their plight might be like. I also read books from Holocast survivors and been amazed at the positive things some found to dwell on in an absolute unimaginable hell.
Comment from Leineco
What I really like about this, is not the "advice" (remember what makes you happy; count your blessings) but the way you passed it on. I felt like I was there with you at that table, fighting the "assignment - yet "under orders" from my mom. She was a wise woman, and taught you well :-)
A lesson that has lasted your whole life - not because she told you, but because she showed you through repeated incidences, that it works.
And you told it beautifully, with age appropriate vernacular and examples that captured our own childhood memories.
Very nicely done!!! :-)
reply by the author on 14-Nov-2015
|
What I really like about this, is not the "advice" (remember what makes you happy; count your blessings) but the way you passed it on. I felt like I was there with you at that table, fighting the "assignment - yet "under orders" from my mom. She was a wise woman, and taught you well :-)
A lesson that has lasted your whole life - not because she told you, but because she showed you through repeated incidences, that it works.
And you told it beautifully, with age appropriate vernacular and examples that captured our own childhood memories.
Very nicely done!!! :-)
Comment Written 13-Nov-2015
reply by the author on 14-Nov-2015
-
Thanks so much for your very kind comments. I appreciate your reading and sharing your thoughts.
Comment from Wabigoon
In checking through the stories and essays here I find this message to you unsent. Seems to me it did go. But I will send it again in case it didn't. What follows is my original review. Maybe I did not include a score? this Ann Marie?
Really nicely done. A touch religious but just a touch. Mostly just that life has good things and you cause me to remember them, like reviewing a good piece of writing where I don't have to paste various errors, "spags," maybe the most hateful word in the world. There are none I see in your piece. I am delighted with it, still the underside of the yacht of happiness is important and needs to be written down.
Thanks
Wabigoon/Jeff
reply by the author on 13-Nov-2015
 |
In checking through the stories and essays here I find this message to you unsent. Seems to me it did go. But I will send it again in case it didn't. What follows is my original review. Maybe I did not include a score? this Ann Marie?
Really nicely done. A touch religious but just a touch. Mostly just that life has good things and you cause me to remember them, like reviewing a good piece of writing where I don't have to paste various errors, "spags," maybe the most hateful word in the world. There are none I see in your piece. I am delighted with it, still the underside of the yacht of happiness is important and needs to be written down.
Thanks
Wabigoon/Jeff
Comment Written 13-Nov-2015
reply by the author on 13-Nov-2015
-
6 SHINY STARS -- thank you so very much! I appreciate your comments and hope you will write about the underside of the yacht of happiness. I was a little surprised by the touch religious comments - no objection, just surprised. If only you knew me. Thanks again for reading and comments.
Comment from country ranch writer
My grandma and I used to do that when we would go to her house she'd say while you were away make a list of things that made you and and on the other write the ones that made you happy. we would have a laugh and she would give me home baked cookies and milk for a treat
reply by the author on 13-Nov-2015
|
My grandma and I used to do that when we would go to her house she'd say while you were away make a list of things that made you and and on the other write the ones that made you happy. we would have a laugh and she would give me home baked cookies and milk for a treat
Comment Written 13-Nov-2015
reply by the author on 13-Nov-2015
-
Thanks so much for sharing your story with me and for reading mine.
-
s m i l e s
Comment from Word Doctor Carson Volk
You had my hooked from the first paragraph. The concept of being born perfectly content and then being dragged down and beaten by the world and its problems and stress is one I highly agree with.
You used great language throughout- I was especially impressed with the use of "minutiae."
The comparison of your mother's patience was great, as was the metaphor for her passion to help you.
You expertly display the affection and creative approach to your issues that you mother had for you. She sounds like an intelligent and wonderful mother.
You capture the "Small Things" that bring joy to our lives, that fill us with passion and a thirst for brilliance and fun, enriching experiences.
Just as you started out with an awesome beginning, the last line-"The list is as endless as life is endless"-was the perfect closing line.
Thank you for sharing your top-notch work, it was a delightful read. Best of luck in the contest!
Have a great day!
With gratitude and respect,
Your friend and colleague,
Word Doctor Carson Volk
reply by the author on 13-Nov-2015
|
You had my hooked from the first paragraph. The concept of being born perfectly content and then being dragged down and beaten by the world and its problems and stress is one I highly agree with.
You used great language throughout- I was especially impressed with the use of "minutiae."
The comparison of your mother's patience was great, as was the metaphor for her passion to help you.
You expertly display the affection and creative approach to your issues that you mother had for you. She sounds like an intelligent and wonderful mother.
You capture the "Small Things" that bring joy to our lives, that fill us with passion and a thirst for brilliance and fun, enriching experiences.
Just as you started out with an awesome beginning, the last line-"The list is as endless as life is endless"-was the perfect closing line.
Thank you for sharing your top-notch work, it was a delightful read. Best of luck in the contest!
Have a great day!
With gratitude and respect,
Your friend and colleague,
Word Doctor Carson Volk
Comment Written 13-Nov-2015
reply by the author on 13-Nov-2015
-
Thanks so much for the 6 stars -- I am so pleased my work met your requirements for such a high honor. I appreciate your time in explaining why I received them. Truly, I thank you.
Comment from c_lucas
When one takes time to count their blessings, they don't have time to think about the negative. Your post is very well written with good advice. Good luck in your contest.
reply by the author on 13-Nov-2015
|
When one takes time to count their blessings, they don't have time to think about the negative. Your post is very well written with good advice. Good luck in your contest.
Comment Written 13-Nov-2015
reply by the author on 13-Nov-2015
-
Thanks so much for reading and for sharing your thoughts. ann
-
You're welcome, Ann. Chalrie
Comment from Tessa Kay
I wish I had a six left. This is so full of warmth and fell-good factor. Love the way your mother handled the depression. So much wisdom. And it's stuck with you forever. A great life-lesson, well worth remembering.
Very well written. Reeled me in. Wasn't even looking for any corrections, but I'm sure there weren't any anyway. Thanks for sharing this uplifting post. :)
reply by the author on 13-Nov-2015
|
I wish I had a six left. This is so full of warmth and fell-good factor. Love the way your mother handled the depression. So much wisdom. And it's stuck with you forever. A great life-lesson, well worth remembering.
Very well written. Reeled me in. Wasn't even looking for any corrections, but I'm sure there weren't any anyway. Thanks for sharing this uplifting post. :)
Comment Written 13-Nov-2015
reply by the author on 13-Nov-2015
-
The thought of 6 stars is almost as good as receiving them! Thank you so very much for the kind words.
Comment from giraffmang
Hi there,
It seems that you had a very clever mother and learnt valuable lessons at a very young age. We could all do with this kind of experience now and then but sometimes the stuff that brings us down is just too much.
Well written and engaging piece.
GMG
reply by the author on 13-Nov-2015
|
Hi there,
It seems that you had a very clever mother and learnt valuable lessons at a very young age. We could all do with this kind of experience now and then but sometimes the stuff that brings us down is just too much.
Well written and engaging piece.
GMG
Comment Written 13-Nov-2015
reply by the author on 13-Nov-2015
-
Thank you so very much for reading and sharing.
