Find the Courage for One Small Thing
The world has felt particularly overwhelming again the past few weeks.
I’m glad I have this memory to remind me of what to do about it. . . . .
It’s been a few months now, but I remember it clearly. My uncle was in the hospital again on a dreary day.
Until a bright light entered the room. . . in the form of the hospital housekeeper. As she entered the room, she bowed to my uncle. She turned and bowed to me.
Then, as she emptied the trash cans and swept the floor, she talked with my uncle, asking how he was doing.
She said she had come from Thailand. Another friend from Thailand who worked at the hospital had helped her get this job. She was very excited to have it.
Her accent was thick; my uncle’s hearing was poor. But they continued trying to talk with each other, brightening the room more and more with each miscommunication and ring of laughter.
Even when her work was finished, she stayed a little longer and chatted.
After she left the room, the day was a lot less gloomy.
Maybe it was a small thing she did, chatting to a sick man in a hospital bed while she cleaned up his garbage.
Or maybe it was the biggest dose of medicine that he got that day.
Alice Walker wrote about it beautifully in The Color Purple:
“Helped are those who find the courage to do at least one small thing each day to help the existence of another—plant, animal, river, or human being. They shall be joined by a multitude of the timid.”
When the world feels overwhelming, I want to remember to take Walker’s advice, and be helped by being like the hospital housekeeper from Thailand.
It doesn’t take a lot to improve the existence of one other thing on the planet each day. But it can help a lot.
I wonder what your one thing will be today.
I wonder what mine will be, too.
Share your thoughts in the comments.
Read more:
- What Can I Do? For Now, This Is My Something
My friend needs something I can’t give. What can I do? For now, this is my something. - When You Can’t Fix the World, Zoom In Closer
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the world’s problems. But zoom in closer. There is something you can do. - Start Where You Are
The homeless man was starting where he was, using what he had, and doing what he could. That’s all love asks of any of us anyway.
- Share 4 Somethings – January 2025
- 8 Books I Recommend – February 2025
There is so much goodness (blessedness!) when someone performs the lowly but very necessary tasks of life with a spirit of joy!
Amazing example! It truly doesn’t take much to brighten somebody’s day. Kindness is free.
I love this example, because it doesn’t cost a thing, but just a tiny bit of time. We can all do one small thing and spread some sunshine midst the gathering doom. A pinprick of light (small) always dispels the darkness (large). I love to compliment people for small things. But it becomes big to them, because many never notice or say thank you. I do this on the phone a lot when greeted by a helpful medical staff helping me. they always say that it makes their day. I love asking for their super as well, so my compliment will stretch even further. AND my favorite thing is in person to ask for the clerk to get his manager. The manager, usually surly, because he just KNOWS you are going to complain, can’t believe it, when instead, you sing the praises of his employee, and THEN you compliment *him* for being such a great super! 🙂 Small things tend to grow larger.
Thanks so much for sharing this, Lisa. Everything you write is LARGER than you will ever know!
xo
Lynn
Oh, Lisa, this is such a beautiful story of how simple acts of kindness can brighten anyone’s day. Thanks for encouraging us to do the same. Blessings!
I’ve been blessed by people like that in hospitals. My mother-in-law’s bath aide from hospice was one of those people who brightened up a room when she walked in. She made it seem like giving old people baths was the best job in the world. I’m so often caught up in my own thoughts, I need to be more aware of others and attuned to ways to encourage them.
I remember when my parents and in-laws were each hospitalized near the end of their lives and it was the small kindnesses from staff and volunteers that made such a big difference. I also remember that during my career as a first grade/kindergarten teacher, I would stand near the bus door and greet as many children as I could as they arrived each morning. It’s amazing what a smile or a hug did for them… and for me each day! Thanks for the reminder for us all! Visiting via the Crazy Little Love Birds link up!
Good example for my word of the year – courage. Love the story illustration too. and the quote. You encouraged me today with your words. The world and this month of Janurary has been quite overwhelming and very very long and dark….
Lisa, this is an uplifting reminder of the power of small acts of kindness. The housekeeper’s simple gesture transformed the atmosphere in that hospital room, proving that even the smallest interactions can bring light into someone’s day. Your reflection, paired with Alice Walker’s wisdom, is inspiring—especially in times when the world feels heavy. Thank you for sharing this story and encouraging us all to find our “one small thing” today. ????
Oops – the question marks were supposed to be an emoji. I’m clearly not good at emojis. Insert blushing smile here!
This is lovely. It’s what I’m concentrating on at the moment: I can’t make the world better but I can do individual things to make individual people’s lives better or lighter.
Lisa, what a bright spot to you and your uncle’s day for sure. I love finding those little pockets of brightness. Kindness comes in so many ways not just big ways, sometimes it’s those little ones that bring a smile.
Thanks so much for sharing with Sweet Tea & Friends this month sweet friend. ????????
Lisa, this is such an encouraging story of how a simple act of kindness can brighten a dark day for someone. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Blessings, Jennifer
Lisa, I love this. Truly beautiful thoughts, and much needed. Thank you for sharing with us at the Crazy Little Lovebirds link party #74.
Happy to feature your post tomorrow at The Crazy Little Lovebirds link party #75.
What a wonderful example of everyone making a difference in the world! That is also a great daily challenge for each of us.
Thank you for this. It’s been a tough time lately!
Pinned this post as a reminder that I can always cheer myself up by doing service. Thanks for sharing it at SSPS#346. My posts are #59, 60, 61, 63, and 66. Warm regards, Nancy Andres @ Colors 4 Health.
Excellent! It’s a great reminder that we can always do something. What a delight and experience to remember. Sometimes, it can be as simple as a smile.
I’m so grateful for your presence in the Grace & Truth Link-Up! Your post stood out, and I’m honored to feature it on my Pinterest board. Take a look here: https://www.pinterest.com/embracingtheune/grace-truth-christian-link-up-featured-posts/.
Lisa,
What a great post on one small thing like a simple act of kindness and all that it can do for someone in need of it…
I just lost my best friend to cancer…She was diagnosed only 2 months after my husband passed away…Even though she died in 2025, I still look at it as the last gut sucker punch that 2024 had to deal to me as she was diagnosed in 2024 andi t just took her a bit longer for her to pass….With all that her husband went through, he was able to have a beautiful funeral service for her after which he gifted me a butterfly necklace with some of her ashes in it…I will treasure his one small simple act of kindness forever…
Thanks so much for stopping by…
Hugs,
Deb
Debbie-Dabble blog
It only takes one small thing to make someone’s day, Lisa. Thanks for your post and I’ve selected it as one of my favourites to feature in this week’s #WeekendTrafficJamReboot. Have a lovely week. x
Thank you, Sue! That one small thing is making my day better today. 🙂