One Thing

by Alessandra Cavalluzzi

It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that the world is a harsh and horrible place.   If we were to go strictly by what we see on the evening news, we’d likely never venture out of our homes!

Do not let current events and politics taint your view of the world in general.   It is a vast and beautiful place filled with wonder.  

This is not to say that bad things do not happen, and are not happening.   I am not a Pollyanna and I watch the news myself so I am well aware of these things. 

I choose to focus on the good, simply because focusing on negativity doesn’t do my health and well being any favors – nor yours. 

I also believe that we can affect change.  Each of us has the power to do something to make the world better for someone else.  This does not require a huge investment of time or money.  If each one of us did just ONE thing, we could make an impact that could lead to bigger changes.  Think about this for a minute.  Right now there are an estimated 7.4 billion people living on planet Earth.   If everyone took the time to do just ONE thing to help another person, imagine the good it would generate.

I know what you’re thinking.  You are thinking it is impossible for every single person on Earth to do something because of geography, poverty, and other barriers that exist.  Kindness knows no barriers.  Love knows no barriers.  Compassion knows no barriers.

But let’s just assume that not everyone could do something.   Even if a small group of people did something, it would be far better than doing nothing.   Think if everyone in your neighborhood decided to designate a day to perform a random act of kindness.  How many people would be impacted that day?  If you have 100 people performing an act of kindness, then 200 people benefit.  The person performing the act, and the beneficiary of this kindness.

Now let’s think bigger.  What if your workplace or school decided to designate a day to perform a random act of kindness?   If you have 500 people in your company or school, 1,000 people will benefit.

It’s important to celebrate these acts of kindness and to gather everyone together to “report back” on what they did and how it made them (and the beneficiary) feel.   Doing so inspires more action, and could motivate others to follow suit.

Have you ever been in line at the drive through and had the person in the window say “your coffee (or whatever) was paid by the car in front of you”?  Guaranteed that if it has happened to you, you have gone on to pay for the car behind you, and that person did the same for the car behind them.  This is because kindness inspires more kindness.  It’s a chain reaction of goodness. 

Is it possible to change the world?  Yes.

Can one person make a difference?  Yes.

Spread some kindness today.

Happy Saturday

Philanthropy