It can be so hard to step out in kindness on your own, the need you see can feel overwhelming or the commitment too much. We can doubt the difference we can make or just feel worried about standing out from the crowd. Every single act of kindness can be transforming for someone’s life, but we can transform whole communities when we join with others.
“When an army of kind people comes together to do good, the possibilities are limitless.” Jaime Thurston, Kindness: the little thing that matters most
It may be you are the person who is going to stand out from the crowd and lead the way for an army of kindness. But it is not only this first person that creates the change, it is those that are willing to follow.
Derek Sivers’ TED talk on ‘How to start a movement’ is a brilliant example of how the courage to follow can be instrumental in starting a movement for change. He says, “The first follower is an underestimated leader… If you really care about starting a movement have the guts to follow.” Once you get a second and third follower, you are on the way to making a movement for change.
You may have an idea that could transform your local community with kindness. Look for those who can help you and invest in them – together you can make a much bigger difference than you could on your own. For most of us, we won’t start a new charity or project in our community, but we can look out for opportunities to join with others who are bringing change with kindness and become part of the army.
It is easier together – together we create community, together we bring change.