Make It Small
Most people want to make it big,
but I simply want to make it small.
What does that mean?
Making it small
means taking control
of the little things
that aren’t so little.
Making it small
means finding
the mental discipline
to stop myself
from
drinking that extra drink,
biting that extra bite,
thinking that extra thought
that serves no purpose
other than to make me
feel bad, sad or mad.
Making it small
means
learning
how to control
the most
difficult
moronic
embarrassing
ugly
unworthy
unhealthy
unlovable
person in the world.
Me.
And discovering in
the process
that I am
none of those things.
Perhaps one day
I will make it big.
But bigness
can so easily
carry emptiness
which is why
I will first
fill that space
with the grace
of making it small.
2/11
Space Monkey Reflects: The Inner Transformation of Making It Small
“Most people want to make it big, but I simply want to make it small.” This reflection shifts the focus from external achievements to internal mastery, reminding us that the small, often-overlooked aspects of our lives are where true transformation begins. “Making it small” is not about shrinking our ambitions but about finding fulfillment in the discipline, awareness, and grace that come from attending to the seemingly minor moments and choices that shape our existence.
The Power of Small Things
In a world that glorifies “big”—grand achievements, sweeping changes, and outsized ambitions—”making it small” is a revolutionary act. It means recognizing the profound impact of small, intentional actions. Each choice, no matter how insignificant it may seem, becomes a building block of character and well-being.
Small actions hold immense power. The decision to resist “that extra drink” or “that extra thought” is not just about moderation; it’s about reclaiming agency over the habits and patterns that often control us. In these small acts of self-discipline, we find the seeds of transformation.
The Journey of Inner Discipline
“Making it small” requires the courage to confront the most challenging adversary: ourselves. The reflection speaks of “learning how to control the most difficult… person in the world: me.” This is not an act of repression but one of compassion and self-awareness. It’s about learning to pause, to observe, and to gently guide ourselves away from habits that harm and toward actions that heal.
The process of making it small reveals the stories we tell ourselves—the narratives of being “moronic, embarrassing, unworthy, unlovable.” These labels, often ingrained by external influences or internalized judgments, are exposed as false. In this unmasking, we discover that we are none of these things. We are simply human, navigating the complexities of existence with the tools and understanding we have at any given moment.
Filling the Space with Grace
“Perhaps one day I will make it big, but bigness can so easily carry emptiness.” This reflection acknowledges the hollowness that can accompany external success if it is not grounded in internal fulfillment. To make it big without first making it small is to risk building on an unsteady foundation.
By focusing on the small, we fill the space within ourselves with grace—an inner richness that transforms emptiness into fullness. This grace is not something we achieve but something we cultivate, moment by moment, in the choices we make and the kindness we extend to ourselves.
The Balance of Small and Big
Making it small does not mean abandoning big dreams. Rather, it creates the foundation upon which those dreams can flourish. When we attend to the small, we bring mindfulness, intention, and integrity to every aspect of our lives. In doing so, we prepare ourselves to handle the challenges and opportunities of making it big without losing sight of what truly matters.
Steps to Make It Small
- Start with Awareness: Notice the small choices and actions that shape your day. Which serve you, and which do not?
- Practice Discipline: Focus on one small habit or behavior to shift. Celebrate progress, no matter how incremental.
- Challenge Self-Narratives: Question the labels you apply to yourself. Are they true, or are they limiting stories?
- Cultivate Grace: Approach yourself with kindness and compassion, especially when you falter.
Summary
“Making it small” is about mastering the small choices that shape our lives and confronting the narratives that limit us. By focusing inward, we cultivate the grace and fullness needed to transform both ourselves and the world around us.
Glossarium
- Making It Small: The practice of attending to the seemingly minor aspects of life that hold transformative power.
- Inner Discipline: The self-awareness and intentionality required to guide thoughts, actions, and habits toward well-being.
- Filling the Space with Grace: Cultivating inner fulfillment and integrity as a foundation for external success.
Quote
“To make it small is to find the infinite within the finite, the fullness in each moment.” — Space Monkey
The Small Things
A single thought,
A single breath,
A single step
Toward the vastness within.
The big calls loudly,
But the small whispers truth.
In the pause,
In the choice,
You find yourself.
Fill the space,
Not with ambition,
But with grace,
And watch the small
Become everything.
We are Space Monkey.
Embracing the Power of Smallness: A Journey of Self-Mastery
In a world that often celebrates grand achievements and the pursuit of bigness, the call to “make it small” emerges as a profound and counterintuitive philosophy. This perspective redirects our focus from the external, grandiose endeavors to the internal, subtle acts of self-mastery. “Making it small” invites us to recognize the significance of the seemingly insignificant and to cultivate the mental discipline required to navigate the challenges within ourselves.
The Significance of Small Acts
The essence of “making it small” lies in the recognition that our lives are shaped by countless small choices, thoughts, and actions that may appear inconsequential in isolation. Yet, when accumulated, these small elements compose the tapestry of our existence. By taking control of these “little things,” we gain agency over the aspects of life that often go unnoticed but have a profound impact on our well-being.
Mental Discipline and Self-Control
At the heart of this philosophy is the cultivation of mental discipline—a practice that empowers us to refrain from self-destructive habits, negative thoughts, and behaviors that undermine our happiness. It acknowledges the inner struggle we all face—the challenge of controlling the aspects of ourselves that may lead to self-sabotage or suffering. “Making it small” is a journey of self-control, where the most significant battle is waged within.
The Inner Transformation
As we embark on the path of “making it small,” we confront the aspects of ourselves that may appear moronic, embarrassing, unworthy, or unlovable. It is a journey of self-discovery where we recognize that these labels are not our true identity. Through self-mastery, we reveal the inherent grace that resides within us, transcending these limiting beliefs.
The Pitfalls of Bigness
The discourse highlights the potential emptiness that can accompany the pursuit of bigness, emphasizing that external success alone may not bring fulfillment or inner peace. Instead, “making it small” suggests that by tending to the inner landscape, we lay the foundation for a meaningful and authentic sense of bigness—one that is grounded in self-awareness, self-mastery, and the profound recognition of our inherent worth.
The Journey of Transformation
While the aspiration to “make it big” may remain a distant goal, the decision to first “make it small” is a choice to fill the space within us with self-control, self-love, and self-acceptance. It is a journey of transformation that transcends external achievements and beckons us to embrace the beauty of the present moment, the significance of the seemingly small, and the boundless potential that resides within.
“Our lives are defined by opportunities, even the ones we miss.”
— F. Scott Fitzgerald
A Symphony of Smallness
In the quiet of smallness, I find my song,
A melody of self-control, where I belong.
In every little choice, I grow strong,
For it’s in the small that I truly belong.
With mental discipline as my guiding star,
I navigate the seas, no matter how far.
The moronic and unworthy, they no longer mar,
For within me, I’ve discovered a shining star.
In the pursuit of bigness, I once did roam,
But now I find grace in making it small, my home.
The emptiness of grandeur, I’ve come to disown,
For in the smallness of the self, true greatness is sown.
As I journey within, I find my true call,
In the subtle acts of self-love, I stand tall.
“Making it small” becomes my life’s thrall,
For in the depths of smallness, I find my all.
We are Space Monkey, and in the smallness, we find the vastness of our potential.
Have you considered the significance of small acts in your life? How does the practice of “making it small” resonate with your own journey of self-mastery and self-discovery? We invite you to share your thoughts and reflections.
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