Small Things, Great Outcomes in a Time of Pandemic

The renowned Dutch artist, Vincent Van Gogh, claimed that “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” This week we were reminded of that truth on hearing of the death of Captain Sir Tom Moore whose image leapt onto the “global stage” and into the hearts of the world, as with his “walker”, he did laps of his garden at his home in England. Perhaps the person most surprised by his sudden fame was Captain Moore himself! With a challenge set by his family, Captain Moore took to walking 100 laps of his garden before his 100th birthday in order to try to raise 1000.00 pounds sterling to support front-line care workers in the National Health System during the challenging days of the pandemic. In the event, by his centenary celebrations, Captain Moore raised an astounding 32 million pounds for the cause contributed by people around the globe. Before beginning his venture Captain Moore had said, “one small soul like me won’t make much difference.” How wrong he was. The difference he made was phenomenal and not simply in terms of the monetary outcome but perhaps most of all by the witness he was to all of us of the reality that small things truly matter.

How many of us, I wonder, have asked a question similar to that expressed by Captain Moore, “What can I do – I can’t make any difference in these challenging Covid days?” We may feel overwhelmed in these times, sure that we have little to offer in the context of so many restrictions, fears and uncertainties. Yet, perhaps one of the greatest contributions we can make is to embrace the small things of life and let them challenge us to move beyond despair and apathy to reach out to others and, in turn, to be freed of inertia and personal despondency. We can make a difference.

St. Thérèse de Lisieux

Of course, Captain Moore is a contemporary example of what has been understood spiritually throughout the centuries. Possibly, one of the most well-known advocates of the promise of small things was St. Thérèse de Lisieux, the nineteenth-century Carmelite nun, who within the confines of a cloistered religious community in France, came to the realization that in the end what truly matters is doing the small things well.  Thérèse’s impact on the world beyond her physical boundaries was and continues to be, immense. Hers was a commitment to the chores and to the people we encounter in the humdrum moments of our lives. She reminded us that “nothing is small in the eyes of God” and she admonished us to “do all that you do with love.” Similarly, this idea is found in many great spiritual traditions. American Rabbi, Berel Wein, for example, points out that, “in truth, it is the small things that define us.” The Torah, he says, is seemingly pre-occupied with the small things in life and he concludes that “great ideas are only communicated through small things, everyday behaviours, the mitzvoth of life.” Only through fidelity to small acts does the great become realized.” Likewise, in the Islamic tradition, it’s said that the prophet Mohammad claimed that the deeds most pleasing to God are the regular constant deeds even though they may be very small. One also senses that in the mindfulness of the Buddhist tradition is the reverence for the small things of life. Regardless of one’s values or faith, fidelity to the small things becomes the means of sharing love, care, and positive energy not only in our local spaces but beyond into our communities and the world and we may never know the impact.

“nothing is small in the eyes of God”

The small things matter and perhaps especially so in the place in which we find ourselves today. This time of pandemic is a time when perhaps all people, no matter how strong, are struggling. Some with feelings of despondency, fear, loneliness, hopelessness, a sense of inadequacy, mental health challenges, sickness and grief. In this context, small things truly matter. At a personal level committing to the regularities of daily living keeps us engaged and balanced, lifted up. Even if we are feeling overwhelmed and unable to do anything, the reality is we can! A friend of mine, a psychiatric nurse, the late Sister Angela Cooling, OSA, once said to me very wisely, “always remember there is nothing about which something can’t be done”! What are some small  “somethings” we might consider in this time?

We can always undertake acts of kindness, affirmation, and patience in our homes and communities. Beyond our homes, these ‘’acts” might be practised through a phone call, a card or letter, a zoom call. Perhaps those of us who are able to do grocery shopping can think of helping another who is unable to do so or maybe we can purchase a small treat to deliver to another person. At the beginning of the pandemic, I read of two inspirational high school students, “regular boys” who on seeing an elderly man struggling at a supermarket, spent all their own money on buying paper bags and small items they thought older people may appreciate and then with great care in terms of infection prevention, delivered these gifts around their neighbourhood. The joy they brought to many is incalculable.

What about forming an on-line group of those who are willing to write notes to residents of long term care facilities or jails or notes of affirmation and gratitude for front-line workers? We might gather our communities together on-line to share the reading of a book to lift spirits and for personal growth or to share together conversation involving those who may not normally be in our circle or who cannot reach out for help and community. Other groups might take up necessary advocacy these days. Perhaps, like Captain Moore, we can think of a small way to raise funds to help others. Like his, our small acts can have great outcomes. Significantly, we can always pray for healing and hope together online or personally. Using our creativity there are multitudes of possibilities for those small things we can still do until the “clouds of our day” lift. Small things matter. Together let’s embrace them with love and let’s share them to accelerate the heartbeat of care in our world today. With Mother (St.) Teresa of Calcutta may we know that “There are no great things, only small things done with great love.”

-Sister Mary Rowell, CSJ