9 of 45 Moments of Wonder
As a younger person I loved camping. I still love the idea of camping, but my body is not quite as enthusiastic as it used to be. My favourite part of camping is the camp fire. Fortunately, I still live in an area where backyard campfires can be a regular activity. When I have a campfire, I love the moment after it is built, when I light it and the tiny flame moves through the firepit, growing brighter and hotter as it spreads from the tiniest pieces of kindling to the larger logs.
Something similar happens when we do a small act of goodness in the world. Our little acts of kindness or thoughtfulness can spread and grow, making our world a little brighter, a little warmer. It doesn’t take much – a kind word, a simple action that shows someone you see them, a coffee with a friend you haven’t seen in a while. It may be offering a hand of friendship or an encouraging word of forgiveness. Whatever the small act, know that it can create great change.
Consider Greta Thunberg, the young Swedish climate change activist who started a world-wide movement. Her initial act of good was not very glorious. Greta made news when she was the only person from her school who showed up for the school strike for climate change she initiated at her school. Just her. But someone noticed and soon thousands of young people from around the world were protesting to make us aware of the need to address climate change. One small spark spread to a world-wide movement.
Other movements too have begun with a small spark – one person with the courage to speak out inspired one person to say “me too” and soon a community of voices are raised to fight against sexual assault and harassment.
We can all do a little bit of good wherever we are. As Desmond Tutu says, “it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” What little bit of good will you put out in the world, right where you are today, to overwhelm the world?
Christine Sharpe: Writer, Speaker, Leader . 
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