Feel The Wave

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Tag: Acts of kindness

  • Small Acts of Kindness Can Change Lives

    Small Acts of Kindness Can Change Lives

    It seems the news on television is always reporting something terrible that is happening or has happened. Good news either feels nonexistent or is tucked away at the end of a segment for only a few seconds.

    They report on wars, floods, earthquakes, and wildfires. It can feel like nothing good is happening in the world and that we are standing at the edge of chaos. It feels never-ending. Yet bad things have happened since humans first roamed the earth. During these moments, there are different types of people.

    There are those who do not know about it, those who ignore it, those who believe it was deserved, those who donate, and those who take action. The latter group wants to help as much as they can. Often, these people have a close relationship with the area or situation. It could involve someone they know, or perhaps the place itself holds significance to them.

    However, some people are not helping because they do not want to, but because they simply cannot. Personal circumstances may prevent them from providing financial or physical support. It is important to remember that supporting others is not limited to money or physical action. Sometimes, sending a kind message is a meaningful form of support. It may seem small or insignificant, but it may be all you can offer at that moment. Every act of kindness matters.

    As we think about the disasters that have recently struck around the world, helping in any way we can matters. It might not seem significant on an individual level, but if one thousand people each donate one dollar, that becomes one thousand dollars. If one hundred people send blankets to families who lost their homes in a wildfire, that is one hundred people receiving warmth and comfort.

    The lesson is to help each other as much as we can, however we can. Even if you think your actions are insignificant, do them anyway. You never truly know the impact you might have on someone else’s life.

    You never know when or where disaster may strike next. One day, you may find yourself hoping that someone reaches out with a kind word, a meal, a blanket, or support of any kind.

    Treat others the way you would want to be treated. Help where you can.

    Take care.

  • Be the Reason Someone Smiles Today

    It doesn’t take much to be kind. We sometimes think kindness needs to be extravagant or grand. But even the simplest acts can have a powerful impact.

    Acts of kindness are only meaningful when they are genuine. If we perform them just for recognition, we’re not truly being kind—we’re simply seeking attention. So, what act of kindness could you do today to make the world a slightly better place?

    Every time we complete an act of kindness, big or small, we make the world a better place. Some examples include:

    • Holding the door for someone

    • Smiling at a stranger on the street

    • Saying please and thank you

    • Buying a cup of coffee for the person behind you

    • Calling a loved one, a friend, or colleague you haven’t spoken to in a while

    • Helping an elderly person cross the street

    • Assisting your neighbour with yard work

    • Leaving an encouraging note on a colleague’s desk

    • Saying good morning to your colleagues

    These actions are simple and don’t take much time to do. Don’t underestimate the power of kindness. A small act can not only brighten someone’s day but may even change their life.

    Kindness also benefits you—it improves your well-being, boosts your mood, and creates a sense of connection. It’s a win-win: you’re helping someone else and yourself at the same time.

    There are opportunities to be kind every day. And when you’re on the receiving end of kindness, take a moment to notice how it made you feel. That feeling may inspire you to pass it on.

    Make the world a little better today—with one small act of kindness.

    Take care.

  • We Don’t Get Credit for Everything — and That’s Okay

    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.