William Morris, a British designer and artist once said, “The true secret to happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life.” These words are a reminder that life itself truly occurs in the small details that we tend to leave unnoticed.
There is a deep form of peace that we can find in things like the lotus flowers that dance over tea-coloured waters, or in the way that clouds settle over our city like curling white cats. Perhaps if we were to take off our headphones or leave our windows open once in a while, we might smell petrichor and morning dew, or we might hear the quiet chirping of the tiny birds and frogs that live right beside us.
Yet, life and happiness are far more than just stopping to smell the roses from time to time. Taking a genuine interest in details does not simply mean that we appreciate nature and how beautiful our world is, it means that in everything we do, we take the time to ensure that even the smallest, most seemingly insignificant part of our task is done to the best of our ability.
Morris’ quote is best represented by the production of luxury fruit in Japan. In this industry, we can observe how the agriculture and sale of fruit changes from a daily activity into a form of art. At first glance, the entire industry, including the amount of energy and time that goes into it seems obnoxiously strange. Fruits are packaged individually and displayed like jewellery for potential buyers, in fancy stores. To add to the odd nature of this, the prices of these luxury fruits are extremely high, sometimes costing as much as US$50 (approximately $10,000) for a single mango. However, a deeper look into the quality of these fruits provides insight into why they are so valuable.
The fruits are grown with meticulous care, starting from the pollination of flowers to removal of ripened fruits from the vine. Flowers are sometimes pollinated by hand with the use of a brush. As the fruits grow, they are moulded, sheltered and cared for almost like young children. Some farmers even put hats on the fruit so that they do not get sunburned! Apart from this, any fruits that are even slightly blemished or do not fit into the standard are rejected and not sold.
All of this effort and attention to detail is why these fruits are so expensive. Perhaps you may wonder what one is to do with such expensive and painstakingly produced items. After all, they seem much too luxurious to purchase and eat on a daily basis. Well, these fruits are purchased by individuals as gifts for friends and loved ones. Behind the cumulative energy and attention to detail that goes into this art, is the basic desire to express gratitude and show love.
Those who receive these fruits as gifts and are aware of the processes involved in growing them will not just see the gift as a kind gesture, but will understand how valuable it is.
Putting effort into the work you do will give you a chance to see your job or education as more than just a series of tasks. Those who are used to focusing on the details in their own work will grow accustomed to noticing the details in other parts of their life as well. They will experience the world in a whole new way and find themselves happy and grateful even in seemingly mediocre situations.
