The news is full of heroic deeds that praise the great good that people do. These are admirable feats.
Similarly admirable are the small gestures that people make every day go simply spread the good around--gestures that touch us in positive, promising ways. Most of us will not be heroes, but all of us can create and spread kind gestures, and all those kind gestures together create a heroic feat of positivity and promise.
Sometimes as we think about the good we do and can do, it is helpful to have a short list to refer to. These short lists can help you both assess and plan your acts when it comes to the good you do each day.
Notes of gratitude, appreciation and care
Honest notes that express our gratitude, appreciation and care are simple acts of goodness that make people feel good while acknowledging the gifts they bring to us and the world.
Sharing food
Preparing a meal and baking a dessert to give to others save people time and provides them with sustenance.
Checking in with a call or a visit
Making time to simply check in with another can brighten their day.
Hosting a party
Getting people together brings levity and light to life.
Planning a holiday or vacation
Working with others to plan a special event, anticipating the event together and eventually partaking in the shared adventure is a great way to spread the good.
Gifts
Simply sending a few dollars or a small gift to a loved one can make their day.
Organization, house cleaning, gardening
Completing chores for those who need extra hands lightens people's load in life and gives them more time to enjoy life too.
Outdoor adventures
Simply sharing an adventure in nature brings joy to people.
Playing a game
Making a date to play a game is a fun way to bring laughter and happiness to a friend or family member.
Recognizing people's special accomplishments, achievements, talents and gifts
Make time to reach out and recognize someone's win in life.
Presence
Simply being present and available gives people a sense of comfort knowing that you're there if they need you.
Sharing your own gifts and talents
We all bring gifts and talents to the world, and when we share those gifts and talents in sensitive, loving ways we help to broaden and enrich others' experiences of life. For example, I have friends with wonderful musical talents--when they share they talents with me, I am so happy and joyful. That's a talent I don't have so when they share that talent with me, they broaden my world.
Altogether we create a heroic effort when we complete the small gifts of love and care that we can bring to the world--this is the simple good we can do.