The power of one

Some things aren’t taught in school. How to save money and weather financial storms so you aren’t dependent on the state. How to do your laundry. What the best foods are for you personally. How to self-regulate your emotions. And how one person (or whale) can make a difference.

From @sunnyascending_ on Instagram. Artist unknown, please advise in comments if you know who created this. Thank you!

Think about people who had an influence in your life. Were they intentionally setting out to make a difference in your or other people’s lives? In some cases, such as with teachers or mentors, likely yes. Other times it may have been something you saw online, a shared conversation with someone on the bus, or a hug from a friend.

Did those intentional things make more of an impact than those that were unintentional? Maybe they made a difference to more people, but each instance of making a difference is still making a difference.

Think about some of the small ways one person can make a difference. You can:

• Treat your friends and family nicely

• Listen to someone in need

• Help with a chore

• Share something that you like with someone else

• Greet people warmly

• Wake up with a great attitude and spread it throughout the day

• Send a card or letter to someone

• Tell someone how much they mean to you

• Donate to a non-profit you like or volunteer

You may never know how small actions like these affect others, and that’s ok! Sometimes, you will find out, and be very surprised by the ways your voice was heard.

Sometimes, it’s easy to feel small and like your voice is just one of the billions out there. Know that each and every one of us makes a difference to someone, even if you don’t realize it.