In this episode, Holly and Scott Stoner talk about how as marriage and family therapists and wellness coaches, the changes they often help people may seem quite ordinary, but in the end they often turn out to make an extraordinary difference.

Recently we were made aware of some wise advice from author William Martin shared for parents. Martin reminds us to celebrate the ordinary moments of life, for in so doing, we also realize that it is in those everyday moments that the extraordinary becomes known. His words are helpful not only for parents, but for all of us, so we would like to share them with you in this week's column.

Here is what Martin writes:

"Do not ask your children

 to strive for extraordinary lives.

 Such striving may seem admirable,

 but it is the way of foolishness.

 Help them instead to find the wonder

 and the marvel of an ordinary life.

 Show them the joy of tasting

 tomatoes, apples and pears.

 Show them how to cry

 when pets and people die.

 Show them the infinite pleasure

 in the touch of a hand.

 And make the ordinary come alive for them.

 The extraordinary will take care of itself."

These words remind us of a quote from Mother Teresa. When Mother Teresa was doing her work of caring for lepers in India, she often had volunteers from around the world that would come and help. When it was time for the volunteers to return home, they would ask her, "How can we do something when we get home that is as extraordinary as what you are doing here?" Her response was simple and direct, "Not all of us can do great things, but we all can do small things with great love." 

The small, ordinary things we do every day as parents, friends, partners, spouses, colleagues, and neighbors, especially when done with attentiveness and love, are what make life extraordinary.