“Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”
― Desmond Tutu
This has been one of my favorite quotes for years, because it reminds me that my efforts matter, even when they seem inconsequential.
The cynical, self-centered attitudes around us can quickly shift our focus to all that is wrong. The big problems in our world and all the unhappy, ungrateful people who surround us. When we’re stuck in that mindset, small acts of kindness seem pointless and futile.
Don’t believe it.
We have no idea how much a simple act of kindness can mean. Our little, insignificant, isolated acts can make a big difference to a specific person in a specific moment. So don’t be discouraged.
Four suggestions for how can you do your little bit of good today
Be Polite – All the time. To everyone. No matter what. Even to people who don’t deserve it. (They may be the ones who need it the most.) Rudeness never helps the situation, while good manners can win people to your cause. Even if your politeness is not acknowledged, you can walk away knowing that you took the high road.
Be Kind – All the time. To everyone. No matter what. Even to people who don’t deserve it. Sometimes people behave like jerks, but we don’t need to be nasty in return. Instead, when others annoy you, give them the benefit of the doubt. The old cliché is generally true—“hurting people hurt people.” And we can choose to be the antidote instead of the problem. The difficult people we run across may going through a truly rotten situation, and our kindness may be the nicest thing they receive all day. Never pass up an opportunity to show kindness!
“Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.”
― Henry James
Be Generous – We all have resources to share with others, things like money, time, knowledge, and talents. The trick is figuring out how to be generous your way. Think outside the box and find new ways to use your strengths to give to others: Take a kid fishing, offer to help your Mother-in-law plan a surprise party, help a friend organize their closet, sort out their confusing hospital bills or finish a craft project. And don’t forget to be generous with your words, too. Look for reasons to tell others you love them or appreciate them. Be generous with your encouragement and share your moments of joy with others.
Be a Haven – Do you have friends who are incessantly cheerful, hopelessly idealistic, or always seem to have their head in the clouds? Protect them. Just as we might protect an innocent child from harsh criticism or verbal abuse, so we should protect those among us who are joyful. We need their cheerfulness, enthusiasm and creativity. It is their gift to us, not to be squandered or belittled. Be a haven for your flaky, silly or creative friends. Be that person they can share their crazy ideas with. Because every now and then, a crazy idea is exactly what the world needs.
The best portion of a good man’s life is his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.
~ William Wordsworth
Do you want to SPREAD JOY in this dark world? Then do your little bit of good!
And encourage your friends to do their little bits as well.
