Periphernalia
Periphernalia (not paraphernalia, that's different) are things and people that appear on the periphery of our lives. It is not the same as inconsequentia. Just as things written in the margins of a book -- marginalia -- can be profound (sometimes more so than the text they comment on), periphernalia can be worthwhile. At times, even vital.Once, while running (for exercise) in Africa, I was trotting down a dirt path, lost in thought. Suddenly I caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of my eye.
It was a black mamba. (If you do not know this snake, be happy.)
I saw it with my peripheral vision and lept crazily into the air, sailing past. The mamba would have killed me had I trod on or even near it.
One second the snake was periphernalia. The next, it was the most important thing in my life.
Perhaps that was a poor example. The things posted here are not snakes in the grass. At least I hope not.