Little Things
I’ve heard tell it’s the little things that count. I tend to agree with that assessment. In life and love, I’ve had it prove out. And sometimes I think it’s a good way to measure the advance of civilization. You notice a little thing that makes life better, and you just know the world is now further advanced than it was the day before. And you’re hoping I have an example, and I do.
I bought a new sleeping bag for my last camping trip. I decided I no longer wanted to cart sheets and blankets around. I wanted an old fashion bag. It was an inexpensive purchase. No down or mummy bag for me. Just a long rectangle with a zipper that I can climb into when its cool or throw off when it’s warm. The big problem with an inexpensive bag is that it’s hard to roll up and never goes back into the bag from whence it came. Until this one. Because of two tiny improvements.
As I rolled it up, I noticed two elastic bands on the end. They slipped around the sleeping bag and held it tight. No more strings to tie. Then there was the carry bag itself. There was a tag on the bag that said, “Tear or cut along stitching lines to expand.” I tore. The carry bag gained about four inches in diameter. The sleeping bag, held tight by its elastic bands, slipped right into the carry bag. No fuss, no muss. Two age old problems were solved by two simple, elegant solutions. Civilization advanced. My life made better. It wasn’t breakfast in bed, but it was close.