I can still hear my mother sing in her melodic voice the song “Little Things Mean a Lot,” and did she ever put into practice what she taught us! It is not the big projects and grandiose schemes that touch hearts, as much as the small things like being polite, welcoming someone, smiling, saying thank you, and being present to those who are ill or lonely.
If people only paused in their daily rush to be successful, they might have time to be kind, thoughtful, caring, and compassionate. A tall order you might say, but think of how you might change someone’s life by just listening and offering support. Mary (name changed) had lost her baby in the second trimester of pregnancy. She was devastated, because after three normal pregnancies and births, this was an unexpected blow. Well meaning friends and family tried to console her with “you can have another baby” but she was sad and struggled to understand the situation. One day a friend who listened attentively to her cries said, “Validate your grief.” Those words were the healing balm for her soul, and she was slowly able to climb out of the valley by the grace of God.
The more I read the lives of the saints, the more I discover that those who were simple and humble, reached sainthood by doing little things. St. Therese of Liseux had her Little Way that is still an inspiration to many as they read her autobiography “The Story of a Soul.” How about St. Brother Andre, a Quebecois of the 20th century whose first assignment was to be doorkeeper at College Notre-Dame? Later he was named caretaker at the house of prayer where he warmly welcomed hundreds of people in great distress. He was no great theologian, but listened with love, and offered comfort and prayer, and that resulted in miraculous healings. Today, thousands flock to St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal to pray for physical and spiritual healing.
You might argue, “I’m no saint.” That may be true for now, but who knows God’s plan for our lives. If we start small there is no knowing where God will take us. Look at Mahatma Gandhi, who through small acts of non-violence was instrumental in gaining India’s independence from British rule. And the ripples went on, because his principles were adopted by Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela.
To come back to the humdrum of every day existence, what means a lot is our meaningful daily interaction with our family and colleagues at work. Instead of passing those sarcastic, unkind remarks, try affirming people and see their faces break into smiles. Visiting seniors in long term care centers and singing songs awaken their memories of happier moments.
And then there are the children who absorb like a sponge the little things that happen around them. I was teaching my nine year old granddaughter how to do an Examen of Consciousness as Fr. Philip Chircop had suggested, using the acronym SIT – What Surprised me today? What Impressed me today? What Touched me today? She thoughtfully went through the questions until she arrived at the last one. With a look of joy she said, “You know, when mummy and daddy hugged me today and said they loved me – that touched me.”
I can see my mother smile from above, for little things do mean a lot.