The Importance of Small Things | Michelle Curcio

Small gestures of kindness—whether a smile, a kind word, or a simple act of generosity—carry more significance than we often realize. While major events and grand actions get attention, the quiet, everyday moments of care and compassion shape lives in lasting ways.

 

In Michelle's talk, she reminds us that many spiritual traditions emphasize the power of small acts, recognizing that their impact extends beyond what we can immediately see. However, people often hesitate to act due to distractions, self-doubt, or the belief that their efforts are insignificant. Psychological studies reveal that even minor acts of goodness create ripple effects, influencing others in ways we may never fully understand. By focusing on what we can do in our sphere of influence—helping where possible, doing things with care, and fostering relationships—we contribute to a larger movement of kindness. The world is changed not just through massive efforts, but through the accumulation of countless small actions done with love and intention.

 

Quotes:

 

Matthew 25:40:

 “Whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me.”

Prophet Muhammad ﷺ:

 “Do not belittle any good deed, even meeting your brother with a cheerful face.”

Desmond Tutu:

 “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”

Mother Teresa:

“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.”

Galatians 6:9:

“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

Charles L. Allen:

 “When you say a situation or person is hopeless, you are slamming the door in the face of God.”

 Richard Rohr:

 “How you do anything is how you do everything.”

Dalai Lama:

 “If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.”