The following are my favorite quotes from Brad Aronson's HumanKind: Changing the World One Small Act At a Time.
- The heroes in HumanKind don't command an army of helpers or have an abundance of free time. They're everyday people who focus on what they can do to make a difference. Their acts of kindness change lives and even save them. These everyday heroes don't just hope the world will get better--they make it better.
- Yes, it can be paralyzing to thing about the level of need out there, but if we do what we can, that will be enough. No expression of love is wasted, and even the smallest gestures tend to go much further than we think they will.
- You never know which "drop in the bucket" will spark a movement, and you don't want to cheat the world out of that. But it's important to act regardless of the scope of the outcome. Even if an act of kindness helps just a single person for a single day, that's a gift.
- Life is a series of single days. If we make up our minds to help each other through these days, before we know it we'll be getting by. Of the many forms that love takes, maybe the most obvious one is a simple decision: a decision to put in the effort to make someone's life easier or more rewarding, even if just for a day. A commitment to doing more than hoping for the best for each other.
- Here are a few takeaway ideas that have helped me to become a better person and made me more likely to make a difference through my daily interactions:
- Be aware.
- Make better decisions.
- Make people believe you can levitate a table.
- Tell the truth.
- Wave.
- Be sensitive to limitations.
- People talk about big birthday surprises and breathtaking holiday gifts, but give me the little things in life. To me, it's the everyday details that matter. The little things are the big things. When we realize this, we also realize that there are infinite ways to help others.
- If something doesn't sound like a big deal, think again. Take a moment to consider that it might be a big deal after all--and to remember that we need to get past drop-in-the-bucket thinking if we're going to see all the opportunities out there for what they are.
- Everyone wants to be heard, but it's rare that we're fully heard. Here's a way to truly listen: Wait three to five seconds to see if someone is finished speaking before you respond. Waiting those few seconds is hard, but it will completely change how you listen and eliminate unintentional interruptions. It's a gift you can give to anyone, and it literally only costs seconds.
- In most cases, it's good to avoid giving advice unless you're asked. When you're giving advise, you're not spending that time listening to how the other person feels.
- Instead of saying, "Can I visit an see if I can help with anything?" I can say, "Can I come see you?" Instead of "Do you need me to come to the hospital with you?" I can say, "Can I come to the hospital with you?" Sometimes it's hard to accept help, but we can make it easier by not calling it that.
- There's no lack of opportunity for any of us to do good in the world. And there's no lack of incentive. When we improve others' lives, we raise the quality of life for the whole community.
- Why not think bigger than our daily routines and crossing items off our to-do lists? Each of us has the power to "be awesome" every day. If you say to yourself, "I'm going to make someone's world better today," it will happen. All it takes is looking for opportunity, following through and that resource we all have within us: love.
