10 Small Acts That Make a Big Impact

These are things you really can do! They may seem small and simple, but even just that little thought can really make a huge difference in someone else’s day…or life!

I recently met an old friend. I hadn’t seen her in over a decade, and it was a lot of fun to catch up. Then she told me how touched she was about things I had done for her about ten years ago! I had zero recollection of them! But apparently small actions can make a big difference.

The only things we have forever is that which we give away and do for others. The good news is that you don’t need a lot of time, money or resources to make a big impact on this Elul.

Here are some ideas to get started. Feel free to share your own in the comments!

1.       If you know that someone who is struggling with one of their children, give them a sincere, specific compliment about the child. This compliment may be a gift treasured by her for years.

2.       When you prepare a treat for yourself, think of someone else who can use the boost. It can be a neighbor at the bus stop or a coworker.  So if you’re grabbing a muffin in the morning, grab two. If you pick up a roll of sushi, get an extra one. Then watch someone’s face light up when you say, “I thought you’d enjoy this!”

3.       Use the downtime in traffic to cheer someone up. If you’re alone in the car, think of someone that would appreciate a phone call (on Bluetooth of course). It may be a parent, grandparent, aunt, friend, sister. With today’s fast paced society phone calls can be so nice!

4.       If phone calls are too intense for 2024, messages are great too. Try to recall someone who confided in you, someone who wasn’t feeling well, and follow up with a sincere message. Before you go to sleep, you can also check your phone and reply to anyone that your foggy brain forgot to reply to. This way you can spare someone the anguish of being ignored. 

5.       Include someone. If you’re sitting with a group of women, look around. Pull up a chair for someone hesitantly strolling by. If you’re at a wedding or vort, look out for a my-husband-is-good-friends-with-them-and-I-had-to-show-up-but-I know-no one lady and strike up a conversation. 

6.       It’s so nice to cook meals for others, but is not always feasible. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. If someone is going through a medical challenge/ new baby, try to send something. It can be challah or kugel for Shabbos, lunch for the Mommy, fresh muffins, or a pizza pie. It’s really the thought that counts. (And the muffins. Who doesn’t love fresh muffins?)

7.       If you read a fabulous book, pass it along. I love to read good books and share them with  people I love. (Bonus for me: I have someone to talk about them too!) People so appreciate this- especially before a long flight, vacation or hospital stay.)

8.       If you see something, say something. (If it’s nice, that is.) If you love your sister-in-law’s new sheitel, tell her! Challenge yourself to give xx amount of compliments at each event you attend. As you meet the challenge, keep upping the number. 

9.       Remember the people closest to us! (As in: the people living in your house with you.) Compliment them. Appreciate them. Even if it’s things that they do on a daily basis. There may be tons of people in your life, but these are the people that stay with you forever. 

10.   Give people the benefit of the doubt. Hands down, it’s the hardest one on this list. More so, it’s a chesed that the recipient will never know about, because it’s all happening in your mind. But if you can do it, it will spare a lot of aggravation on all parties involved!

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