I think ion thrusters are beautiful. The magical blue light, and the way they generate forces by only using inert gas and electricity is fascinating to me! They're something like an electric rocket engine. These miraculous motors are used on satellites and other spacecraft to change their speed and direction. They are very efficient in using input energy to effect significant changes by their output. The tradeoff for using such an efficient engine is the time required, by reason of the modest amount of thrust produced.
Unlike the exhilarating spectacle and persuasive punch of a chemical rocket, which creates enormous power by expending huge amounts of fuel in only seconds or minutes, some ion thrusters operate continuously for years, humbly pushing on in a consistent acceleration that can add up to extreme velocities over time.
It's caused me to think about the long-term impact brought about by small forces acting over long periods of time. Small forces over time can be more influential than sudden, short-lived large forces, like beginning early, and braking gently over the entire length of the exit ramp versus waiting to crush the pedal only in the last 50 feet (15 m).
Or look at the trajectory of a ballistic missile—how small guiding forces inputted early in the flight can have a dramatic effect on the location of the hit, while relatively dramatic forces applied too late don't have the power to change much.
Think of kicking and prodding from behind to get a herd of sheep moving. Now imagine a trusted shepherd, calmly leading the group from the front. What a difference!
Another way to think about this is the effort and time required to turn an ocean liner like the RMS Titanic. A small rudder, exerting its force over time and distance has a steady guiding influence over such a ship. Now imagine a small speed boat, twisting and spinning rapidly. The ease with which it turns makes it easy to take off course and destroy its destiny. A ship needs to be able to turn, but also needs heft and steadfastness to maintain a smooth journey for its passengers.
The Lord has complimented great leaders by their stubborn refusal to turn "to the right hand or to the left." (2 Kings 22: 2) Keeping our spiritual eyes forward is an important part of making our way successfully through life. We can't afford to be always spinning around, searching for the "next big thing" to make us happy. We must have real intent. We must be intentional about how we spend our time and efforts.
Don't insist on waiting around for big, impressive experiences to fill your life. Take advantage of small frequent opportunities to learn, to seek light and truth, to feel and express gratitude, and to serve others. Fill your life with these small moments, piece by piece. Passing them by in a search for greater things you think are more worthy of your time may disappoint you.
Only picking up big rocks to put in a bag will leave a lot of empty space. Small grains of sand, gradually collected, fill in all the little spaces, and will make sure the bag is actually full.
See this video, with this lesson illustrated by gold prospecting:
The positive possibilities wrought by small experiences over time are paralleled by the devastation of small, constant evil influences. No great sin comes out from nowhere. Patterns of increasing comfortability with darkness always lead to greater darkness. Satan usually can't get righteous people to commit grievous errors without first feeding them little lies over and over. Carefully adding only a tiny thread here and there, he can weave a mighty rope, binding souls in a choking squeeze over time. (2 Nephi 26: 22; 28: 19-22) Pay attention to the kinds of media you consume, the kinds of friends you keep, the kinds of words you use, the kinds of thoughts you entertain.
For you leaders, remember to offer small, gentle corrections over time instead of waiting for the need for dramatic course corrections which can drive people away from your helpful guiding influence.
Pray every day. Study scriptures every day. Serve another person in some way, every day. Consistently apply gospel principles to your life. They have the power to keep you in the right way, continually looking to God and becoming ever more like Him, by degrees, little by little, every day.
Take it easy. Easy really does it.
See also:
Finding Joy through Loving Service, by M. Russell Ballard
A Matter of a Few Degrees, by Dieter F. Uchtdorf