Small Moments Can Change Everything

It was my first full year of teaching when I realized that we really can make a difference in this world through small, simple acts.

I had given my Honors students a survey, one of the questions being: “What can I do to help you succeed this year?” One of my students answered: “Nothing. I’m pretty much a hopeless.”

I took a minute to think about her response and then wrote, “You’re not a hopeless case! Don’t give up. I am here to help you.” I passed back the papers and honestly forgot about the comment.

I had a wonderful year with that group of students. This student in particular lit up the class with her zany sense of humor. At the end of the year, she handed me a handwritten thank you note. In the note, she explained that at the beginning of the year, she was really in a bad place and lacking confidence, but when I wrote that comment on her paper at the beginning of the year, it made a huge difference to her.

I was shocked. I had simply taken two minutes to write an encouraging comment on this student’s paper; months and months later, she still remembered the comment and even thanked me for it. I realized then what a huge opportunity we have every single day to make a positive impact in others’ lives. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate expedition to another country or a huge donation. It doesn’t have to be an act of kindness that takes hours to plan. Sometimes it’s just a few kind words that can change a person’s perception, attitude, and even life path.

Lindsay Detwiler, author of Voice of Innocence

Available at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TMX826K