A Little Goes a Long Way

It was cool outside as I walked to work this morning. I was tired...as usual these days...but the fresh air felt good. It's getting to the point where I can't have the window open during the day because the temperature is getting up there. SO, I spend all night working inside...and all day sleeping in a tiny trailer with no fresh air. The cool morning breeze this morning helped wake me up.

It was a little thing, but it helped a lot. And that is something that I noticed about things in general the longer I am out here.

The little things seem so much bigger.

That could be a good and a bad thing. Good, because of things like the breeze. It was more than enough to energize me and get me ready for my shift. Bad, because things that I can normally let roll off my back grate on my nerves even more lately.

I've mentioned how noisy the cleaning crew is that comes by everyday and cleans the common areas of the trailers. At first...that was no big deal. Now...when I hear them, I get so upset that I can hear them that I can't sleep...even after they are gone. It's a little thing...the noise they make and it only lasts a few minutes. But, it is more than enough to throw my mood.

What gets tough sometimes is when the little things pile up. Last week was tough out here...as attacks were up. It was bad enough at one point that we raised the uniform posture...which means that we had to wear our body armor ANYTIME we were outside.

It is a small thing, to put on the armor to walk back to the trailer, or back here to work. But for some...it was torture. But that little thing could save a life. Still, some of the people out here refused to wear their gear properly. They would walk around without helmets on, or with their armor open in the front, just slung over their shoulders. As my room mate said..."You can't save them from themselves."

Then, I received a few little bits of news. There were about three different e-mails or phone calls and each one was a different piece of bad news. None of them, alone, were too much to handle...but three in a row? It was tough.

I could feel exactly how long the next "fifty-some" days were going to be. How do you deal with stuff like that?

I just said a little prayer.

So...I try not to focus on it and I try to keep myself positive. Even with the little things.

My nightly phone call is still what keeps me going. It is one of the littlest things I have out here. My conversation with my daughter lasts less than two minutes, usually. But it is all worth it...when I hear those four LITTLE words. "I love you, Daddy." My son has been talking more lately. He seems even more interested in what I am doing here. It is nice...but it shows me that he is dying for me to be back...to talk to face to face, and to play with...just a little.

I am fortunate enough to work with some very talented soldiers and sailors. Two of them in particular are getting out of the military after this tour in Iraq is over. They would do well if they stayed in and I would love to work with them again later in my career. (This is something I don't often say...)

I asked one of them why he was getting out. He told me all of his various reasons...one of which stuck out to me.

"There's just no appreciation for what we do," he said. "I mean...even from the chain of command."

I thought about this...and he's right. I asked if he felt that EVERYONE in his chain made him feel that way. He said no...that people like myself weren't like that. But there was too much of the other way. "You're the minority, Sergeant Newman," he said to me.

I told him that I understand, and that I feel the same way. We often don't get a thank you or the recognition we feel we deserve. But, for me, instead of getting out...I plan to stay in and hopefully be that leader that stands out by showing his people what they mean to him. It's not much when one guy says "You are doing a great job." But sometimes it is enough.

I had a Colonel out here tell me that he thought I should try to get assigned to the same station he worked at back in the states. I asked why...and he said, "So you can work for me back there." He said that if he had the choice from a list of people...he would pick me to work with. It was a little comment...but it meant a LOT.

So it makes me wonder how much we say on a day to day basis is taken to heart. There are things that are said...that may almost seem to be out of habit. "I love you" at the end of a phone call, perhaps. But try NOT saying it one time...and see how much of an impact that may have. The question "What's wrong?" may come up.

Try saying "Thank you," to the cashier at Starbucks when you pay for your drink, or even ask them how they are doing. Watch the look on the face of the lady who you just held the door for...for no reason. Imagine the strange looks you will get when you, for no apparent reason, pay for the coffee for the guy in line behind you.

None of that is very much...but it could have a huge impact. I guess what I'm saying is that now...I will pay attention to the little things I say or do as I go through my day. As I am learning here...A little goes a long way.

SFC NEWMAN
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