By Sharon Worsley   »  Not too long ago, I read a story of an anonymous donor in Japan who for 33 years had faithfully sent an envelope containing small amounts of money each month to the local police station. The request of the donor was that the money should be used to assist the needy. These were only small amounts of money but I am sure for this donor it represented some sort of sacrifice.

Recently the 400th consecutive envelope was received, bringing the total donations to just over C$20,000. This person still remains anonymous after all these years, but the intent is as pure now as 33 years ago; to assist those less fortunate than the giver.

Do you ever get moved when you hear of a selfless act such as this? 

Doesn’t it inspire you to see how you can impact the life of someone around you? This might be a family member, friend, boss, a co-worker or someone at your church, maybe even a total stranger. 

Some of us question how we could ever make a difference in this world, and believe that we have nothing to offer, yet what we can offer might seem so insignificant to us, but can brighten someone else’s day beyond measure.

Just the other day, I witnessed a small exchange at the supermarket. A woman, who obviously was a mother, was at the checkout purchasing some goods for her family which included diapers, orange juice, bread and other sundries. As the cashier finally finished putting all the items through the scanner and calling out the total, this mother looked into her wallet and seeing that there was not enough money to cover the amount owing started asking the cashier to remove items one by one to bring down the total. First to go was the bread, then the orange juice. 

A shopper who was now packing her purchased items stood by this mother and was so moved by the obvious challenge the mother faced, quickly reached over and discreetly placed a $20 bill on the counter while telling the woman that this was a gift, and to buy the items she needed. This shopper then picked up her bags and disappeared into the night, not wanting to receive any reward for her act of kindness.

Who will ever know the effect on this mother or her children, the knowledge that a stranger that night cared enough to make a difference, not to mention the effect on the cashier and others who witnessed this scene?

Three months ago, I was waiting at the airport in Atlanta for my flight back to Toronto. While sitting in the lounge getting acquainted with the parents of two small children, who were waiting for relatives to arrive, I spotted a young soldier across the hallway. He was clinging to his sobbing wife and two young children of his own. His parents stood nearby taking photos of the family in what seemed apparent as an upcoming departure of their son.

I was struck by the love they were all expressing without necessarily uttering any words. I looked back to the woman sitting next to me and we both had tears in our eyes as we witnessed this touching scene. She realized how fortunate her family was not to be the one about to be parted in this manner.

As time dragged on, one could tell that this family was soon to experience a ‘new normal’ in their life with a father serving his country so far away. I was suddenly lifted to my feet somehow and inspired to go over to this family. As I headed across, my heart began to swell as I found tears brimming from my eyes, yet to fall completely down my cheeks.

Once by their side I introduced myself and where I was from. I told them that I had been noticing them for some time and that it was apparent that this man was about to be shipped out to serve in the war in the Middle East. I told them that even though I was not an American, I was a citizen of the world who wanted to thank him and his family for all their sacrifices. I also asked if I could shake his hand and wish him safe travels.

I then departed as quickly as possible and thanked them for their precious time, and as I did so his mother and father thanked me with tears in their eyes. It may sound like a small gesture but who will ever know what this may have meant to their family, having a complete stranger step up and say ‘thank you’?

What I did was so very small in comparison to what he and his family were about to do, yet in my own way I was able to give of my best in that moment while they were giving their best for quite some time to come. 

Where in your life right now can you give to others in some way, either in a big way or small? Whose load can you lighten or improve with a selfless act, perhaps anonymously such as the example of the Japanese benefactor described previously?

One person can make a difference in the life of another. Whose life will you make a difference in today, tomorrow, and the next day? It is never too late to start.