“Do your little bit of good where you are; it is those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”
-Desmond Tutu
For the last two months we’ve been looking at the lives of people who have made significant differences in the world. Sometimes these people were doing the right thing at the right time and became well-known as catalysts of change. Other times these people laboured or suffered for years, and their sacrifices were noticed and noted. Many others didn’t become well-known but are just as important.
When we look around, we can see there are all sorts of people who seek to support others in difficult situations and aren’t necessarily noticed or appreciated even though their efforts do help others.
We don’t have to be mentioned in history books to be able to make a positive impact. One act of courage, assistance or kindness can send out ripple effects that touch more and more people as one thoughtful word or act inspires another, which inspires another.
Studies have found that when we help other people, those who are helped are more likely to do kind things for others when they are able. As well, people who are in relationships with either givers or receivers are more likely to support others as they observe acts of kindness and thoughtfulness.
This can be as easy as simply being respectful to those who work in the stores and services we go into as we go about our daily lives.
One person’s actions really do make a difference, even if we don’t see the results. We may not even know the effect we may be having.
Not long ago, my husband went to exchange a fire extinguisher. The young man who helped him asked if he used to go to a certain gas station. My husband replied that yes, he did, and the young man said, “I remember you. You were always nice and kind.”
We were touched by this and also felt sad realizing how many people must have been rude to the young man working at a gas station for him to remember someone who was simply talking respectfully to him.
Is there a little something we could do this month to make even one person’s day a little better? Is there a need we could help out with? An issue we could do something about which would make a situation a little more fair?
Maybe there’s someone we know who would really love a phone call or a visit or a letter. Maybe we could take somebody out to a restaurant or cook them a meal. Maybe there’s a family member we could do something extra for, and it would really mean a lot to them. These sorts of things can be like turning on a light. They make lives brighter and better. We can make a difference.
