For whatever reason, I started thinking this morning about all of the people in my life that get up every day and make the world a better place by doing what they do.

These are people who most likely aren’t making a splash on the internet. You won’t hear about them on the evening news, they aren’t known the world over, and they’re probably not writing best sellers.

Yet, what these people do every day matters. These are the people who bring “up there down here”.  These are the people who are making the world a better place, one choice and action at a time, one day at a time.  You may be one of “these people” by

• Showing up every day to work or school ready to give your best, even if your work is to stay at home with the kids
• Being honest, considerate, kind and respectful towards others
• Recognizing others who might otherwise be overlooked
• Noticing and expressing gratitude for the many blessings experienced throughout a day
• Going the extra mile, even when no one sees or is watching
• Listening deeply
• Creating beauty whether it be through an encouraging note, a candle lit, a simple flower arrangement, or a meal with friends
• Talking with a friend, spouse,  parent or your kids when you really just feel like watching TV
• Finding ways to help others every day
• Believing in, and calling out, the best in others

Mother Teresa said it like this, 

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

Ironic that a woman known and loved the world over, became so because of little acts of love.  We look back at her life and it’s easy to see why she’s known worldwide. Those moments when she lifted a cup of water to the dying person’s lips, or wiped clean infected wounds, seem so small and unimportant by the world’s standards. Yet  Mother Teresa’s legacy is one of a life laid down for the small things.

Small things, done consistently, over time, with great love, add up to be really big things.

Maybe you got up this morning, like I do some days, and thought that the day ahead looked pretty ordinary and maybe a bit mundane.  Know that no day is ordinary, and what may appear mundane is not, when we can embrace the small opportunities with great love.

Be faithful in small things, because it is in them your strength lies.  Mother Teresa