Gorgeous collection of memories and reflections on current experiences to show that life happens while we're making other plans (John Lennon), unless we practice what matters in the small moments of life that accumulate. I am grateful for this perspective. (And both David's portrait of you and the photo of accumulated letters amplify your message.)
We often make plans while life quietly stitches itself together. Thank you for seeing the depth in this and for your kind words about the portrait and letters.
Your post reminds me of the saying, "At 211 degrees, water is hot; turn it up one degree, and it begins to boil." Also, I'm reading (well, listening) to the book "Atomic Habits," which talks about the impact small changes can make—1% better every day, or something to that effect. Life IS a matter of degrees. And perspectives. And choices.
Yes! That 211-degree moment is such a great analogy, and "Atomic Habits" is a fantastic read. I love the framing of perspectives and choices because ultimately that's where all the power is.
Paul: Last year I got back to old fashioned habits that I had used for so long re-inspired by Atomic Habits. It is truly a blessing, especially as Neela says by focusing on the inches / habits the difference comes months and years later. And life is in these small habits accumulated together
Oh, my, yes indeed. There's an old saying about how "heaven (or the devil) is in the details."
And your post made me think of how baseball fans say baseball is a metaphor for life AND that baseball is a "game of inches" (the inch the ball misses the glove, the fraction of an inch the batter misses the ball). Between those two, baseball is indeed a metaphor for life. :)
I love that connection to baseball! The game of inches, the near misses, the unexpected victories. A perfect metaphor for life. And yes, the details are everything, whether heaven or the devil resides there hahahahaha
I really do believe this, change is happening in the small moments, the small decisions. It's not always about the big changes but the small steps we make along the way. Also, loved how this was written, linking in the memories and personal stories with overarching learnings.
Neela, this piece cut deeper than most essays ever dare—not because it shouted, but because it whispered truths I’ve felt and rarely named.
You drew a quiet but devastating line between your grandmother’s intuitive craft and today’s obsession with metrics, performance reviews, and precision that pretends to be wisdom. It made me ask: how much of corporate culture is just insecurity in a tailored suit, demanding evidence for things that only presence can measure?
The image of your boss’s client slamming the table over “two goddamn percent” felt almost cartoonish—until I realized I’ve been both the slammer and the stunned witness. We chase metrics to avoid sitting with the messier truth: not all progress can be charted, and not all impact fits on a slide.
Your reflections on grief—on your father's slow re-entry into life, on the patient brushstrokes of a portrait, on the barista’s quiet nudge—felt like a reckoning. Like a map for those of us burnt out from chasing big wins when life was whispering all along: notice the inches.
Thank you for reminding me that not everything valuable announces itself. Sometimes it just simmers quietly and waits to be named.
Whenever I talk about setting goals - there's a huge emphasis on achieving them a bit at a time 'Rome wasn't built in a day' as the saying goes. Lovely post.
Beautifully written Neela. Read this a few times. And the thought that I keep coming to is how we need everything FAST. Yes, things can be fast, but momentum happens slowly, in inches, in the slow increments, when one day, you realize "things have accrued." In life we want the big wins, to hit those - ugly term incoming - BHAGS - which is nothing but small shit put together. So instead of focusing on the monumental victory, why can't everyone look for the small, gradual, minor joyous wins strung together instead of hustling for the stars and not dying a slow death inside?
I appreciate your reminder of staying in the present Neela. In particular I like your reflection about how this journey plays out as creatives and wordslingers. The past couple of weeks I ended up needing to take a step back from grinding out the inches to check the direction I'm going in, but then I found myself on the opposite end of the seesaw and getting lost in the big picture (one of the downsides of curiosity).
It really is a fine balancing act. Thanks for the reminder to get back into it. Appreciate your words!
I’m glad the reminder helped, and I think it’s great that you took the time to reassess. Sometimes, stepping back and checking the direction is exactly what we need to keep moving forward with purpose.
Your grandmother was very wise. She understood that the most accurate measure for everything is exactly what we feel—not what we "think" we feel, but what we feel with our body. Our body gives us those nice little signals that you write about. We need to recognize them and trust them. You obviously learned a lot from your grandma! I enjoy your stories. Thank you!
Thank you so much for your kind words! My grandmother had a beautiful way of understanding life and people. Big shoes to fill, but I am still learning lol
Happy Friday Eve to you, and thank you for stopping by,
Have you seen the movie 'Any Given Sunday'? In the movie, Al Pacino, playing the head coach Tony D'Amato, is giving a speech and he says: The inches are all around us.
As I read your post that scene came to mind and it made me cry because it is so powerful. The inches are all around us and what we do within those inches is what matters.
I was on a call with a colleague and we were discussing the progress of a few things. There were frustrations on both sides of the conversation because they were focused on the gigantic transformations and I was focused on the small step that had been taken.
With a barrage of information coming at us and telling us that all we have to do is these 7 steps to secure a 7 figure income.....those inches get lost and the joy in pursuing those inches doesn't exist.
I am going to allow others to supercharge their business and I'll move mine along the way that a turtle moves along......one small step at a time.
It moves along slowly, but it's also more purposeful.
Money keeps us comfortable - a roof over our heads and food on our plates but if your heart wants something more - craves something more - it will never be the only thing that moves the needle for you.
And you my friend have a HUGE heart :)
And yes, I saw that movie. I love Al Pacino—one of the best Jason.
You always have the right things to say. Today has been one of those days and it is 9:24am but these words have given me a smile and that alone will make today a good day.
Gorgeous collection of memories and reflections on current experiences to show that life happens while we're making other plans (John Lennon), unless we practice what matters in the small moments of life that accumulate. I am grateful for this perspective. (And both David's portrait of you and the photo of accumulated letters amplify your message.)
Happy Tuesday Hans
I love that you brought in Lennon’s wisdom.
We often make plans while life quietly stitches itself together. Thank you for seeing the depth in this and for your kind words about the portrait and letters.
I hope you have a good Tuesday!
Your post reminds me of the saying, "At 211 degrees, water is hot; turn it up one degree, and it begins to boil." Also, I'm reading (well, listening) to the book "Atomic Habits," which talks about the impact small changes can make—1% better every day, or something to that effect. Life IS a matter of degrees. And perspectives. And choices.
Happy Tuesday Paul
Yes! That 211-degree moment is such a great analogy, and "Atomic Habits" is a fantastic read. I love the framing of perspectives and choices because ultimately that's where all the power is.
Thank you so much for taking the time :)
Paul: Last year I got back to old fashioned habits that I had used for so long re-inspired by Atomic Habits. It is truly a blessing, especially as Neela says by focusing on the inches / habits the difference comes months and years later. And life is in these small habits accumulated together
Your suitcase inspired me to create something similar. Thank you so very much.
Hey Jonathan - Honestly, I have a go bag in case of emergencies and then there is that suitcase. I am taking the suitcase with me too hahaha
Thank you so much for taking the time :)
Oh, my, yes indeed. There's an old saying about how "heaven (or the devil) is in the details."
And your post made me think of how baseball fans say baseball is a metaphor for life AND that baseball is a "game of inches" (the inch the ball misses the glove, the fraction of an inch the batter misses the ball). Between those two, baseball is indeed a metaphor for life. :)
Hi Wyrd
I love that connection to baseball! The game of inches, the near misses, the unexpected victories. A perfect metaphor for life. And yes, the details are everything, whether heaven or the devil resides there hahahahaha
I appreciate you taking the time :)
What a wonderful set of vignettes. Thank you for posting.
Why thank you Mitchell.
I hope you enjoy the rest of your week :)
Beautifully written and so insightful.
Your “Positive Echo”.
Thank you so much Gary.
I hope your week is off to a good start!
I really do believe this, change is happening in the small moments, the small decisions. It's not always about the big changes but the small steps we make along the way. Also, loved how this was written, linking in the memories and personal stories with overarching learnings.
Happy Thursday Sophie
I love how you highlighted the power of small steps.
It reminds me of the parable of the mustard seed.
Tiny beginnings with huge potential.
And thank you for the kind words about the writing!
How have I missed these! One of my favs, Neela 🥰
Marciaaaaaaaaa
Happy Friday.
Thank you for reading and supporting.
I love seeing more Medium writers here.
You’re welcome, sweet Neela.
Yes, me too! 🙌
Neela, this piece cut deeper than most essays ever dare—not because it shouted, but because it whispered truths I’ve felt and rarely named.
You drew a quiet but devastating line between your grandmother’s intuitive craft and today’s obsession with metrics, performance reviews, and precision that pretends to be wisdom. It made me ask: how much of corporate culture is just insecurity in a tailored suit, demanding evidence for things that only presence can measure?
The image of your boss’s client slamming the table over “two goddamn percent” felt almost cartoonish—until I realized I’ve been both the slammer and the stunned witness. We chase metrics to avoid sitting with the messier truth: not all progress can be charted, and not all impact fits on a slide.
Your reflections on grief—on your father's slow re-entry into life, on the patient brushstrokes of a portrait, on the barista’s quiet nudge—felt like a reckoning. Like a map for those of us burnt out from chasing big wins when life was whispering all along: notice the inches.
Thank you for reminding me that not everything valuable announces itself. Sometimes it just simmers quietly and waits to be named.
Thank you for reading this so closely Matt. I appreciate you taking the time to subscribe - enjoy the rest of your week.
Whenever I talk about setting goals - there's a huge emphasis on achieving them a bit at a time 'Rome wasn't built in a day' as the saying goes. Lovely post.
Rome took time, and so does anything truly worthwhile. Thanks, Tina!
Have a good week ahead.
Beautifully written Neela. Read this a few times. And the thought that I keep coming to is how we need everything FAST. Yes, things can be fast, but momentum happens slowly, in inches, in the slow increments, when one day, you realize "things have accrued." In life we want the big wins, to hit those - ugly term incoming - BHAGS - which is nothing but small shit put together. So instead of focusing on the monumental victory, why can't everyone look for the small, gradual, minor joyous wins strung together instead of hustling for the stars and not dying a slow death inside?
Those tiny joys add up, and in the end, it’s the gradual progress that keeps us moving forward without burning out. Thank you so much Parves.
I hope you have a good week ahead.
I appreciate your reminder of staying in the present Neela. In particular I like your reflection about how this journey plays out as creatives and wordslingers. The past couple of weeks I ended up needing to take a step back from grinding out the inches to check the direction I'm going in, but then I found myself on the opposite end of the seesaw and getting lost in the big picture (one of the downsides of curiosity).
It really is a fine balancing act. Thanks for the reminder to get back into it. Appreciate your words!
Hey Scott
Happy New Week.
I’m glad the reminder helped, and I think it’s great that you took the time to reassess. Sometimes, stepping back and checking the direction is exactly what we need to keep moving forward with purpose.
Your grandma was quite the wise women-full of lessons that you’ve carried on and use them in your own daily life, Neela!
Memories never forgotten❤️
Memories are all that we have - thank you so much for taking the time sis :)
Good insight 😌 Can i translate part of this article into Spanish with links to you and a description of your newsletter?
Hey Salvador
Hope you are doing well.
Sure you can :)
Dear Nella,
Your grandmother was very wise. She understood that the most accurate measure for everything is exactly what we feel—not what we "think" we feel, but what we feel with our body. Our body gives us those nice little signals that you write about. We need to recognize them and trust them. You obviously learned a lot from your grandma! I enjoy your stories. Thank you!
Thank you so much for your kind words! My grandmother had a beautiful way of understanding life and people. Big shoes to fill, but I am still learning lol
Happy Friday Eve to you, and thank you for stopping by,
Have you seen the movie 'Any Given Sunday'? In the movie, Al Pacino, playing the head coach Tony D'Amato, is giving a speech and he says: The inches are all around us.
As I read your post that scene came to mind and it made me cry because it is so powerful. The inches are all around us and what we do within those inches is what matters.
I was on a call with a colleague and we were discussing the progress of a few things. There were frustrations on both sides of the conversation because they were focused on the gigantic transformations and I was focused on the small step that had been taken.
With a barrage of information coming at us and telling us that all we have to do is these 7 steps to secure a 7 figure income.....those inches get lost and the joy in pursuing those inches doesn't exist.
I am going to allow others to supercharge their business and I'll move mine along the way that a turtle moves along......one small step at a time.
May I say that your approach is more sustainable?
It moves along slowly, but it's also more purposeful.
Money keeps us comfortable - a roof over our heads and food on our plates but if your heart wants something more - craves something more - it will never be the only thing that moves the needle for you.
And you my friend have a HUGE heart :)
And yes, I saw that movie. I love Al Pacino—one of the best Jason.
Happy Wednesday!
You always have the right things to say. Today has been one of those days and it is 9:24am but these words have given me a smile and that alone will make today a good day.
Thank you and Happy Thursday to you!
I am not in your shoes bro but I do understand where you are coming from.
I am so happy it helped.
Happy Thursday to you.