Little by Little

Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together.” Vincent Van Gogh

Van Gogh (who is featured in my new novel, The Ghost of Khartoum)   invites us to pause and reflect on the power of persistence and incremental progress in shaping a meaningful life. It challenges the notion that purpose or success arrives in grand, spontaneous moments, instead suggesting that true greatness emerges from the quiet accumulation of small, intentional actions. This perspective encourages introspection about our daily choices—how even the smallest steps, like a kind word, a moment of discipline, or a single brushstroke of effort, contribute to a larger tapestry of purpose. For families, this might mean reflecting on how shared routines, conversations, and acts of care build a collective sense of meaning over time. Van Gogh’s words remind us to value patience and consistency, urging us to consider: What small actions are we taking today that might weave together to create something extraordinary tomorrow?

-B.R. O’Hagan