The Little Things
February 3, 2014

Today I wanted to share one of the quotes that I think about often as a counselor:

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The thing with my job (and so very many jobs out there) is that, if I really stop to think about, it’s overwhelming. I could work every hour of every day and there would still be an unbelievably high number of people wanting or needing help or a place to process a situation in their life. It doesn’t matter what I do- the need is so great. All that I do can seem like a tiny drop in a huge ocean. If I stop to think about that too long, I can get down- and who has time for that?!

Then I stop to actually look at the reality. Every week I have the chance to impact anywhere from 28-35 people in my office- more if I’m leading groups too. Those individual lives who are changed because of sitting in my office, even if it’s small the big picture, is still meaningful. I also keep in mind that there’s a ripple effect: their changes influence other people, and so on and so forth. There’s also a generational effect. A change in a 20 year old today means a change in her marriage, how she raises her children, and impacts her grandchildren.

So this is the perspective that I personally keep in mind, and it’s my example of not letting what I cannot do (helping all those in need, or even being able to help someone sitting on my couch) interfere with what I can do.

I’ve talked a lot in the past about owning our reactions to things, and this is another example of that. We we cannot do is beyond our control (and within the control of someone else). What I can do is within in my area of control, so I have to ask myself “will i be responsible for what I can do?”.

Instead of wasting time, energy, and emotion being upset about what we cannot do, what would happen if we focused everything on that which we can do?

Now it’s your turn to share! Do you ever get down about all the things you cannot do? What are some things that you can do?

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2 responses to “I Am Only One, BUT I Am One”

  1. KickAshMom says:
    February 3, 2014 at 8:18 am

    I love that quote and I love this post. I think a lot of people need to realize that little things go so far.
    I try and talk about being positive and dealing with insecurities, your past, and ways to look at other peoples situations on my blog. I hope I help someone. Any change is a good change. You are doing so much in this world!