Editorial January 13, 1945 Issue

Things Great and Small

Paul Stark Seeley

The big things in life—the worthy achievements and successful accomplishments—result from many well-done little things. No one who would achieve can afford to overlook this. Thoughts and acts that might seem trivial in themselves lead on to large results. Many have benefited from the insight of Michael Angelo's oft-quoted thought, "Trifles make perfection, and perfection is no trifle."

The loveliest silken garment is woven from minute threads. The honey we enjoy is gathered by the bees in almost invisible drops from the nectar of the flowers. The carpet with which nature covers the earth is made of tiny blades, each essential to the whole. Brief moments add up to hours, and days, and years. Mary Baker Eddy has said something of these little things called moments which shows we can make of them steppingstones to worth-while goals. Here it is: "Success in life depends upon persistent effort, upon the improvement of moments more than upon any other one thing" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 230). And the best way to improve our moments is to be careful about each thought, word, and act that fills them.

Paint is an important thing. It makes homes bright and cheery, or drab and gloomy, and serves other useful purposes. But one would not ordinarily think of it as being closely related to the speed of the airplane it is applied to. Yet such is the case. A recent announcement in the press tells of several improvements made to one of our efficient combat planes to make it even more efficient. For one thing, the paint has been changed from one of a rough texture to one giving a mirror-smooth finish. This reduces the friction in flight, and adds seven miles an hour to the plane's speed, so increasing its usefulness and range of service. A little thing with a big influence.

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