So I have been thinking deeply into my self exploration to see what impact I actually have on the people that I come in contact with. Trying to do big things to help or make a difference, but when actually all it takes is a simple little thing to make a big impact....
There are times in our life when we don't take action because we feel the action is too little, that it wouldn't make a difference. However, sometimes the smallest gesture can make a huge impact on someone's life. I guess this sentence just repeated what I said in the first sentence... There are many different ways we can show kindness to others, and it doesn't have to be in a big way.
The simplest of things may make the difference. A smile, a door being held open, a handwritten note, a kind word, that little back massage to my husband before he starts his day. The list can go on and on.
I was recently reading some of Aesop's fables and came across the story of The Lion and The Mouse. And yes I have a gaggle full of children so I have an excuse for reading children's books!While this story has been around for a long time, it still has wisdom in its words. Below is the story, my shortened version.
One day a Lion was asleep when a little Mouse began running up and down his back; this soon wakened the Lion, who placed his huge paw upon him, and opened his big jaws to swallow him.While you may think the story is far fetched, the point I found in reading the story is not the size of the action that is important, but the difference that a small action made.
"Please don't," cried the little Mouse "forgive me this time, I shall never forget it: who knows but what I may be able to do you a turn some of these days?"
The Lion was so tickled at the idea of the Mouse being able to help him that he lifted up his paw and let him go.
Some time after the Lion was caught in a trap, he pulled with all his might, but the ropes were too strong. Just then the little Mouse happened to pass by, and seeing the sad plight, in which the Lion was, went up to him, and with his sharp little teeth gnawed away the ropes, setting the Lion free.
"You once laughed at me," said the mouse. You thought I was too little to do you a good turn. But see, you owe your life to a poor little mouse."
No act of kindness no matter how small is ever wasted.
Many Blessings.
I love this post! It's reminding (barely) of a quote from someone. I say barely because I can't remember it exactly. It's something like how we all want to find that one big thing to do for someone, but really what we need to do is the many small things. In the end, the bigger impact is felt by the myriad of small blessings than the one big one.
ReplyDeleteAs far as children's books, have you read "The Book of Virtues" by William J. Bennett? That is an awesome book for children, and I love to read it myself. If you have not read it, when you get it, be sure to read about the little girl who goes around slamming doors! My kids loved that story.
Great blog!
Nope, but now I will get it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the nice comment I really needed it!