“Do a little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits put together that overwhelm the world.”
– Desmond Tutu

Lately, with news of school shootings, arguments rising on gun control and illegal immigration, and the plethora of oppression that continues to be present around the globe, I have felt somewhat helpless. What on earth can I do to change any of these things? Conflict not being one of my favorite things, I have a great distaste for arguing a point. In the grand scheme of things, I don’t feel like my voice makes a difference in fighting oppression, racism, sexism and other forms of discrimination. Is there really anything I can do or say that is going to help change anything?

The answer to this hopeless and helpless state of mind I have been marinating in lately is in Archbishop Tutu’s quote above. There are a million little things I can do every day to help “overwhelm the world” with love and acceptance; here are just a few that come to mind:

1. I can make eye contact with the clerk at WaWa when I pay for my coffee, smile and say, “Thank you. I hope you have a great day.” (I can even go one step further and pay for the coffee of the customer behind me in line.)
2. I can send a small donation to a local food bank, homeless shelter, or a service that provides clean water in a far-away country.
3. I can anonymously clear the snow off my neighbor’s car, rake the leaves in their yard, or leave a potted plant at their door.
4. I can volunteer at a local hospital to assist staff members with extra work or visit patients who have no family close by.
5. I can let a car – or two – go in front of me while stuck in traffic; and I can refrain from sitting in judgment or flashing a look of disgust at the driver who cuts me off or doesn’t let me out in traffic.
6. I can call a friend and ask how they are doing – and then really listen to what they say.
7. I can become more tolerant of those whose lives are so different from mine by reading more about marginalized groups and the history of their journey toward freedom.
8. I can stop and say hello to the homeless man on the corner instead of walking by like I don’t even see him there.
9. I can pay close attention to the next child who wants to tell me something, and then respond with enthusiasm.
10. I can resist the urge to gossip about someone I work with to others in the office.
11. I can listen with an open mind to someone who holds opposite political, religious or social views from mine; and I can walk away without trying to convince that person that they are wrong.
12. I can pray each morning to be open to opportunities to serve others – all others.

What little bit of good can you and I do today to “overwhelm the world” with love, acceptance, tolerance, understanding and unity? Let’s really think about it, and then go do it!