When we function in the huge world filled with countless people, we may wonder, “I am so tiny. Does what I do matter to anyone?” Such thoughts can make us feel insecure, insignificant, worthless. 

To counter these disempowering feelings, let’s do a thought-exercise: look back at our life at the people who inspired us. Not all those who inspired us were celebrities; some of them were ordinary people — teachers, friends, well-wishers, loved ones, strangers — who spoke a kind word or offered a helping hand when we needed it. 

What does our thought-exercise imply? That a person doesn’t need to be extraordinary to inspire others. That in turn means even if we aren’t extraordinary, we can still inspire others. A sobering yet striking example of the power of small good deeds is suicide prevention: people contemplating suicide are sometimes deterred by just a gentle word or a warm smile, be it from a loved one or a passerby. Even if most of our actions don’t seem to make much of a difference, some of our actions may — and we don’t know which will. By serendipity or Divine Will, we might just be in the right place at the right time, to do something for someone who needs it. Why, then, should we devalue any of our actions?

During our life-journey, if we just strive to do whatever good we can, some of our actions may inspire others, even without our knowledge. Pertinently, the Bhagavad-gita (03.21) urges leaders to act in exemplary ways that inspire others. Through this verse, the Gita is calling us all to become leaders, even if it be in our small corner of the world, and do our part in ways that can inspire others.

One-sentence summary: 

Just as ordinary people’s actions have inspired us, our actions may inspire others — don’t underestimate the power of small good deeds. 

Think it over:

  • Which actions of others have inspired you the most?
  • Did you ever discover that your small actions inspired others?
  • List three good things that you can do but aren’t doing.

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03.21: Whatever action a great man performs, common men follow. And whatever standards he sets by exemplary acts, all the world pursues.

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