"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."--Aesop, "The Lion and the Mouse"
Sometimes, I hear of the grand acts of generosity and kindness that others have performed. There are the media stars who hold a concert to benefit AIDS research. There are the people in my own community who have donated countless hours shoveling mud from the homes of victims of the flood. And then there's me.
I certainly can't hold a concert (well, I guess I could, but no one would come) to benefit AIDS or other research. And I can't shovel out mud. (My shoveling days, if they ever existed are long gone). So what can I do?
It's easy, even tempting, to give myself a pass and say, "You're way past the age where anything you can do will matter." Then I recognize that for what it is. An excuse. A rationalization. An easy out.
I sat myself down and made a mental inventory of what I can do:
I can send a card to a friend who is lonely.
I can remember another friend's birthday.
I can offer a sincere compliment to a stranger who is wearing an especially pretty necklace.
I can pray for my friends and family.
So, for today, I am grateful for the things I can do. (And maybe I'll forgive myself for the things I can't do as well.)
Yes, I think there are all things that we can do.
ReplyDeleteDorothy told me once that she would pray all through sacrament meeting for those of us with small children. There were many times when I could feel those prayers. I think the small things are often the big things.
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