yesterday morning on my way to grab coffee, i noticed an older woman struggling to carry two heavy bags of groceries up the subway stairs. people were walking past her like she was invisible. i stopped, offered a hand, and carried them up for her. she smiled, thanked me three times, and told me her husband used to do things like that for people too.
later that day, i swung by a local bakery i hadn’t tried before. the owner was there working alone, said business had been slow. instead of just buying one thing, i grabbed a box of pastries and told him i’d bring them to some friends. he appreciated it so much he threw in a loaf of bread for free.
that evening, a friend called needing advice about a tough situation, so i sat with him on the phone for an hour—no rush, no judgment, just listened.
none of it was a big deal. but it reminded me: the world gets better in small moments, not grand gestures.
give your time. share your strength. be available.