An excerpt from Little Things Make a Big Difference
by Laurin Sydney

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The CNN entertainment anchor shares some fresh ideas for keeping relationships sweet.

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Was it Napoleon who first said, "Good things come in small packages" . . . or someone in the jewelry industry? Whoever coined that phrase had the wisdom to realize that "little things can make a big difference."

This book is filled with innovative ideas, joyful jolts, and enlightening exercises that will enhance your relationships with your friends, lovers, kids, co-workers ... and yourself. You'll also learn some ways to enliven your home and workplace--small touches that will change your environment for the better. Now I'm not trying to sound like a Hallmark card; I just want you to realize that just a little effort can go a long way--simple gestures that may not help to establish world peace, but which can bring peace and joy to your world . . .

These are just a few abbreviated examples of some little things that can change a life...

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For the past 15 years, as the entertainment anchor for CNN, I've been privy to the private lives of Hollywood royalty, where a wish is their staff's command. Past the tall palms and long driveways of dreams . . . lives a world filled with so much success and privilege that you'd think that anyone would be happy. But happiness is not about the grand gesture, not about that house on the hill--it's about constructing a home in your heart. . . .

When Garth Brooks broke the record for the most CDs ever sold, I sent him . . . a broken record. Not the most extravagant present on Earth, but one that he cherishes to this day. When I needed to come up with a thank-you gift for a star who shall remain nameless (but who's married to Jennifer Aniston), I wrapped it up in a copy of his last great movie review--boy, did I get a great review for this small effort.

Use this book as a guide, and I promise you that in no time you'll be coming up with your own "little things." Every once in a while, you may come across an idea that doesn't seem to be up your alley, but try it, stretch your boundaries, and enlarge your comfort zone . . . it may not be as "little" as you think. We've already been taught to not sweat the small stuff. Now let some small stuff make a big difference for you!

Little Things for . . .

Relationships

So many times in my life, I've wished that I could wiggle my nose and become two people. One Laurin would wake up, work out, shower, clog her pores with TV makeup, arrive at the studio, work her tush off, pick up the check, and come home . . . while the other Laurin would wake up and spend the entire day nurturing relationships and just doing the right thing. But since the "Jeannie" trick really only works in TV rerun heaven, we're all left with the problem of not having enough time to do the things we want to do.

Our days become divided into the "want tos and have tos." I want to buy a little present for my daughter's teacher, but I have to go to the office. I want to catch up with some college friends, but I have to take my precious pup, Malibu, to the vet. (Don't worry; I'm not going to bore you with more frustrating examples!) But no matter how we reshuffle our days, we never seem to have enough time for the "want tos." What sometimes happens is that people tend to shut down completely without even making an attempt at a scaled-down version of their "want tos." They figure that if they can't do the whole kit and caboodle, they wo't do anything! But here are a bunch of little things to the rescue . . . small ideas that cast a long ray of sunshine.

Sealed with a Kiss

Slipping an unexpected Hershey's Kiss into an eyeglass case, briefcase, pocketbook, or pillowcase can give your loved one a joyful jolt. (But you better not do it if the air conditioner's on the blink--you don't want any chocolate meltdowns!).

Just in case chocolate doesn't float your boat, a little note will do the trick . . . or even a small picture—any unexpected little treat. When Julia Roberts won an Oscar for Erin Brockovich, her hotel suite resembled a luxurious floral shop. Magnificent arrangements were coming in by the dozens, each one more exquisite than the next. But it was the simple gesture made by her then-boyfriend Benjamin Bratt that stole her heart. He ripped off a corner of the Oscar program and wrote a note saying how proud he was of her and slipped it into her pocketbook while she was doing the obligatory press interviews.

You see, Julia knows that little things make a big difference.

Flower Power

I often wonder whether the world would be a better place if Adam had given Eve a lush bouquet of fragrant flowers! The power of flowers is unending. We use them to romance, to apologize, to create an atmosphere, and to cajole. But sometimes when you need to count on "Mother Nature's Magical Miracles," you just may not have the time, convenience, or money to procure some powerful petals. Don't give up just because you can't go for the grand gesture . . . you can always use a substitute! A flowered tie, gardenia-scented stationery, a bunch of dried lavender, a single flower, or even a CD of "Tiptoe Through the Tulips" will get your point across.

And in an SOS situation, when you want to give someone flowers even though there isn't a florist (or extra time) available, just quickly open any magazine. Do a quick flip of the pages and you'll come up with a picture of some flowers. Present that with your written words . . . and the memory will never wilt!

Ring-a-Ling-a-Ling

No matter what her happy meter is at any given moment, my soon-to-be mother-in-law always answers the phone as if Clark Gable is on the other end. She has the most inviting hello that translates into, "Hi, I know who it is, and I'm thrilled that you called!" Her warm, inviting beginning to the call ensures a great middle and an equally great end.

No matter what the circumstances are around you, try to bring new energy to each call. Whether it's personal or professional, that split-second welcome sets the entire tone.

Pass on a "Wow"

It's so joyous to watch little kids say the word Wow! So many tiny miracles cross our paths on the road to Wow. Then we grow up and the wows are few and far between . . . but oh-so-special when they arrive. So now, instead of sending jokes over the Internet, I've gotten in the habit of passing on the wow, kind of like a chain letter of amazing moments. The next time you say it, share it . . . there just aren't enough of them anymore.

Thanx

Sometimes the right thank-you note can be even more memorable than the deed that was performed or the gift that was given. Whether you had the time of your life or were so bored that you fell asleep behind your menu, there is always a creative way to say thank you. For instance:

~ Take a pack of matches from the restaurant where you ate, and tell your host that the evening was "unmatchable."

~ Add an appropriate little "prop" to your note. If someone did you a huge favor, add a pack of Lifesavers, telling them that they were your . . . you guessed it! For affection, add a chocolate kiss . . . for a celebration, some confetti . . . and for relaxation, a sprig of dried lavender.

~ If you were invited to a great tennis match, write your thank-you note on a tennis ball, using a permanent marker.

~ If you had dinner at the home of a friend who collected china monkeys, write the note on a banana (I know you're rolling your eyes), but I did this for a well-known celeb and received a thank you for my thank you.

Just be personal, have fun with your ideas, and go for it. Creativity doesn't require artistic ability . . . just the ability to stretch the limits that bind us.

Sugar-Coated Memories

Sights, sounds, smells, and tastes can take us back in time instantly. As a little treat, I sometimes go down memory lane with a "retro-snack," sending all of my college friends our junk food of choice, which fueled our long evenings of studying.

To my camp buddies, it's the little sugar dots on paper that are so bad for your teeth . . . but so much fun to scarf down! At first, when I started to send these sweet sensations, I didn't even know where to find my childhood candy. I thought they might be petrified in the Museum of Natural History (just a little self-deprecating humor)! But I was surprised to find that everything old is new again. Some of my favorite tastes are in updated and improved packaging . . . little sweet memories of yesterday . . . when all our cellulite seemed so far away!

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The excerpt above is taken from the new book Little Things Make a Big Difference by Laurin Sydney. It is published by Hay House, Inc., and is available at all bookstores, by phone (800-654-5126), or via the Internet at www.hayhouse.com.

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