The most famous people are often known for doing something extraordinary — either remarkable or infamous. People tend to notice only the extremes, and perhaps for good reason. We often divide the world into two halves: good or bad, generous or greedy. Few notice the people in the middle — the “good enough” ones. It’s understandable; quiet goodness isn’t flashy and, frankly, not that interesting to talk about.
Everyone loves recognition, and it has its place — but that shouldn’t be the intent behind a kind gesture. Instead, it should come from a genuine desire to help. You feel another person’s struggle and know that a little help or encouragement can go a long way.
That same mindset applies when we measure the value of our actions. We shouldn’t judge their worth on a grand scale. For example, we might think a small donation can’t end child hunger — but it can feed at least one person. That’s enough. That’s a start. It makes a real difference in someone’s life. You might not see it or receive thanks — and if you ever do, that’s just a byproduct. The primary reason is the quiet satisfaction of knowing you made a positive difference and helped make the world a better place.
Those simple, small actions often go unnoticed because they don’t set us apart. When you’re in the middle, people often overlook the good and focus on the bad. People tend to remember acts of spite or revenge because they attach strong negative emotions to them. Once an emotion is tied to a person, it’s hard to shake. Good or bad, negative emotions feel like stains on the soul — trust gets lost.
This dynamic isn’t limited to everyday life — it happens in leadership too. There are times when you hold influence or power and use it to inspire others by treating everyone with thoughtfulness and respect, regardless of who they are. Yet people often overlook this because they grow accustomed to a leader’s generosity. Unfortunately, in many cases, power corrupts — it tends to reveal people’s true colours.
When someone resists that corruption — whether at work or in the community — few celebrate it. Not in the moment, anyway. It’s only appreciated later, when their successor turns out corrupt or different. Only then do we realize that power never corrupted them — they were simply a good human being. You don’t know what you have until it’s gone.
Ryan Holiday wrote, “You don’t get credit for what you don’t do. You don’t get credit for the fact that you could be worse. You don’t get credit for not breaking societal norms for which the enforcement mechanisms are weak.”
Whatever position we hold in life, we must do what is right — no matter the circumstance. We must stay honest with ourselves and with society.
We don’t get credit for everything we do — and that’s okay. Doing what’s right isn’t about recognition; it’s about integrity.
Take care.