By Gwenn Voelckers
When the challenges of living alone and the troubles of the world overwhelm you, the quote below by Mother Teresa may give you hope and a renewed focus on living a life of love, service and charity.
“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”
Mother Teresa
In Mother Teresa’s long life, she touched millions through her presence and acts of charity. My interest in her was piqued in 1979 when she won the Nobel Peace Prize for her dedication to the poor and work to promote peace.
I was 25 at the time. She donated her entire cash prize to the poor in India.
In her words and especially in her actions, she helped me see that a life of generosity and everyday kindness — however big or small, anonymous or acknowledged — is meaningful and powerful.
As we navigate life’s later stages as older adults, it’s helpful to remember that our actions, no matter how small, can profoundly impact others as well as our own sense of well-being.
Below are 10 examples of simple yet meaningful gestures that can bring joy, peace, laughter and a deeper understanding to those around us:
1. Express your love
In her twilight years, my mother wrote beautiful, heartfelt letters to each of her children: to me and my three siblings. Unbeknownst to us, she tucked the letters away for safe keeping.
After her passing in 2014, we discovered her letters — personalized and crafted to celebrate each of our unique attributes.
I cherish her letter and keep it close at hand in my bedside stand.
In my mother’s eyes, these letters might have been a small token of her affection, but her words held immeasurable worth to each one of us.
2. Offer a helping hand
I recently witnessed neighbors helping neighbors after high winds sent our trash bins sprawling in all directions.
I joined “the party” and as we were raking up the bits and pieces, our local trash collector showed up with a big box of doughnuts.
Many hands, many smiles and lots of cream-filled delights!
3. Do good on top of good (including baked goods!)
My sister volunteers at Tool Thrift Shop in Fairport, whose proceeds benefit the elderly.
But she does more than staff the cash register; she brings in goodies for her co-workers and treats them to healthy black-bean brownies — a small, but welcome (and tasty!) gesture.
4. Spread warmth and positivity
Here’s an example of a small act that gathered momentum during COVID: the act of leaving uplifting notes in public spaces.
On my morning walks I often happen upon painted stones with inspirational messages created by children. I take photos of my favorites and text them to my friends, creating a ripple effect.
Some of my fondest expressions are “Look for the beauty around you.” “Good things take time.” “Just breathe.”
5. Show up
While it was my full intention to attend the funeral service, I was tempted to skip it.
I know that sounds terrible, but I had gardens to plant. And it turned out to be a gorgeous day. There was so much to do.
But then, I re-read the obituary, noted the time and place of the service and powdered my nose.
I’m so glad I made the right decision. I went to the service.
I’ll never again underestimate the value of showing up. What I initially rationalized to be inconsequential was very consequential.
I felt the warm embrace of those grieving for their mother and was so grateful to be a source of strength and solace during a difficult time.
Show up. It matters.
6. Make the world more beautiful
Have you read the book titled, Miss Rumphius about the real-life “Lupine Lady” who scattered lupine seeds everywhere she went?
The plentiful and colorful lupines that adorn the coast of Maine are her legacy.
We can all be “Lupine Ladies.”
Anonymously leave a bouquet of flowers on your neighbor’s doorstep. Plant a garden on the perimeter of your property for passersby to enjoy, even if you can’t see the garden from your house. Or create a charming container mini-garden for your friend in their apartment.
Small seeds can produce an abundant harvest on so many levels!
7. Share
Don’t you just love it when people freely share their favorite books, brands, recipes, movies, music and restaurants, not to mention their knowledge and expertise.
This simple and generous act of helping others by exchanging “trade secrets” can save everyone time, trouble, and money.
I have a dear friend who, like me, is an avid reader. We trust each other’s book recommendations and reap the rewards.
Next up? A Gentleman in Moscow.
Openly sharing information can foster connections, promote conversation, self-reflection, and understanding.
8. Pay it forward
Literally, in this case, making monetary donations — no matter the size — can help support people in need and global causes that make a positive difference in our world.
Whether you contribute pennies to the Salvation Army’s Holiday Kettle campaign, make donations to your favorite charity, or contribute outright to a struggling family, you empower yourself to be a part of a solution, promoting change and funding a better future.
Every little bit counts.
9. Vote
Yes, voting — a small (but huge) act and privilege. Easy to do. And so impactful.
Ultimately, voting is not just about individual preferences, but about expressing our love and concern for the greater good, making it a powerful and compassionate singular step with profound effects.
10. Be present and listen
Perhaps one of the smallest, quietest and most loving thing we can do is to listen to each other with intention and open hearts.
Many consider “active” listening to be one of the highest forms of respect. And it costs nothing.
Offering a listening ear to someone in need, whether a family member, friend or stranger, can help relieve suffering, brighten a mood, deepen an understanding, and enable someone to feel “heard.”
I know my readers hear me.
For those living alone and who may be grappling with feelings of loneliness or questioning their purpose, embracing these small acts can help restore a sense of self-worth and connection.
When we contribute to the happiness, safety, and health of others, we rediscover our value and recognize that our lives matter.
By focusing on doing small things with great love, we can not only enhance the lives of others, but also enrich our own lives with a deep sense of purpose and fulfillment.
Gwenn Voelckers is the author of “Alone and Content: Inspiring, empowering essays to help divorced and widowed women feel whole and complete on their own.” She welcomes your thoughts on this column as well as topic suggestion for future essays at gvoelckers@rochester.rr.com.