“No one can do every thing, but every one can do some thing.”

In the last month I have heard that expression in different ways and in different venues- in a radio interview, during news reports and in my church class. Regardless of how it was conveyed, it has made me wonder, what is the “do-some-thing”, that I can do.

My grandmother was a do-some-thing kind of gal. She wasn’t any one “special” except in the eyes of those who loved her and those she encountered. She was generous, encouraging, interesting and interested in others. She looked for the good in all situations. She saw needs and she did what she could to meet those needs regardless of her age and circumstances.

In her last twenty years of life (she lived to be 97) she lived near my parents in Massachusetts. At that point in her life, she was a widow and fiercely independent. (She lived alone in her home until the last two weeks of her life when she was hospitalized.) Every day she would drive to the beach to “sniff the salt air”. But she also went there to pick through the trash and recycling looking for bottles and cans that had deposits. Those she would redeem at the store and use that money to pay for postage to send items of clothing (she either made or bought at a local charity shop) for a charity she had supported for years: Christian Appalachian Project. I never knew why she picked that project but she was faithful in supporting it for years. It was one of the some things that she did for others.

Recently in our church class we were talking about all sorts of global and personal situations. One of the participants shared about his father. His dad was another one who did what he could for those who were around him. He said that while his dad was very much aware of what was going on in the world, he didn’t focus on that. Rather his father focused on doing what he could for the people around him.

I’ve been thinking about how I can help those who are in need around me. How can I be a blessing to someone else? I have shared before that I have a small bin in the front of our home to collect non-perishable food items for a local food bank. That seems to be a tangible, easy way for me to help. My neighbors and friends have been very generous. The box also reminds me and keeps me accountable to pick up a couple extra boxes of pasta, cans of beans, hearty soups, or cereal when I go to the store.

Of course, isn’t that what we can do? Impact those we can, however temporarily. Regardless of our circumstances, we should make life’s journey less of a burden and more of a blessing for someone.

We may never know what those expressions and actions of kindness, niceties and quite frankly, manners will impact someone else. But the science is showing that these kindnesses can benefit us: helping others benefits ourselves more than we know. When we help others-serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin, and other endorphins are released. These substances help us feel good. In my case of collecting the items for the food pantry, it is just a short walk to the food pantry from my home and it brings me such joy to pull my little wagon full of food there.

Science is proving that which God knows and knew when God created us: It is more blessed to give than to receive. On so many levels. Sadly, those who are takers in this world will never realize that benefit. Because ultimately besides all the physical benefits of giving, that benefit of blessing brings peace and love.

There is a line in the old movie, “While You Were Sleeping” that I think about whenever I think about small actions of kindness. One of the characters is despondent thinking that he hasn’t done anything significant or special in his life. Another character who has watched him for years says encouragingly, “You give up your seat every day on the train.” He replies, “Well. But that’s not heroic.” To which she replies- “It is to the person who sits there.”

What about you? Do the problems and situations of the world get you down? What is going on in your neck of the woods? is there anything, even some little thing, that you can do to help? Or, perhaps you already are doing some thing. What have you been doing? How can that encourage someone else?

In these times of difficulty for so many people and while global situations may seem overwhelming, maybe we should take a step back. Maybe we just need to do- some-thing for the people around us who need help. Our do-some-thing might not require much effort: We just need to pay attention to what is going on around us and have a little imagination. Perhaps, all we need to do is give up a seat for someone who needs to sit down.

A Few Ideas:

Having a holiday party? Ask guests to bring one non-perishable item for the local food pantry.
Start an ongoing collection box in your neighborhood for non-perishables for your local food bank. Or, if you live in an area where your vegetables are still growing- plant some extra vegetables in order to give away the fresh produce.
Pray for others. What better gift to give to someone else, than to bring their petitions to the One who created all of us and knows exactly what we need and what needs to happen in our lives.