There is a temptation to believe we need a lofty standing in the world before we can accomplish impressive deeds.
If we had “this much” in our bank account, we could start doing big things. If we had “that job,” we could accomplish so much good. If we had “that skill,” “this talent,” or “that degree,” we could make such a difference in the world.
These are lies that we tell ourselves.
I’m currently typing these words on a 13.3” computer screen. I’m sitting at a desk in an otherwise empty room. There is no secretary downstairs, no warehouse connected to the back. It’s just me, in an empty room, with a computer and an internet connection.
Yet, from this small, quiet space, I will write words that will possibly be read by hundreds of thousands of people.
From this small, humble room, I am able to make a difference in the world—hopefully inspiring someone, somewhere, to own less stuff and live more.
It’s actually quite extraordinary when you think about the time that we live in, and the opportunity to influence the world from anywhere we might be.
In some ways, the opportunities that exist to connect and communicate with others are more available to us today than at any point in human history.
But in other ways, I suppose they are not all that different.
- Henry David Thoreau wrote his masterpiece, Walden, from a small cabin in Massachusetts.
- Mother Theresa changed the world for good and became a role model for millions from the slums in Calcutta, India.
- Rosa Parks became the face of the civil rights movement in the United States of America from a public bus in Montgomery, Alabama.
- Steve Jobs launched Apple (one of the three most valuable companies in the world) from a garage in little Cupertino, California.
The list of people who made a big difference from a small place could fill countless volumes.
It’s amazing when you think about the opportunities that each of us have, every day, to bring good into this world—even from the humblest of places. To think we must accomplish a certain degree of worldly success before we can be a meaningful source for good is to miss out on the opportunities right in front of us each day.
Theodore Roosevelt is credited as saying, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” His words ring true.
No matter who you are, where you live, or how many zeroes are present in your bank account, you can bring good into the world:
- Every day, we have opportunity to model a healthy, selfless, disciplined life for our children.
- Every day, we can offer a smile to the person serving us behind the counter.
- Every day, we can work hard at our job, bringing value to the people we serve and our co-workers.
- Every day, we can look for opportunities to serve others in big ways and small ways.
- Every day, we can be generous with our time and our money (no matter how small that amount might be).
- Every day, we can offer kind words or a listening ear to someone who needs it most.
Ordinary people making the most of their every day will result in extraordinary change. It worked in the past, it works in the present, and will continue to do so well into the future.
Bobby jett says
May 14, 2019 at 6:00 AMYou certainly inspire me bro. I packed up everything that wasn’t purposeful in my house. Im donating many clothes, shoes, coats to disaster relief efforts. I stopped using my dishwasher! Keep the love and wisdom flowing!
Cindy says
May 14, 2019 at 6:25 AMThank you for what you do. Your mission (now mine as well) is inspiring and so very important. Great article too.
Kevin Ruffcorn says
May 14, 2019 at 6:43 AMThank you for your inspiring words. They are so true and can be easily applied to our everyday lives.
Kevin Ruffcorn says
May 14, 2019 at 6:44 AMThank you for your inspiring words. They can be so easily applied to our everyday lives.
Rob Lippert says
May 14, 2019 at 7:30 AMWOW.
Your post today was so inspiring in so many different ways!
Thank you
zigzag says
May 14, 2019 at 7:40 AMBelieving we need a lofty standing in the world sounds like either not feeling good enough or just an excuse to do nothing.
Christy Blocker says
May 18, 2019 at 4:27 AMI share in your way of thinking and your faith. I watch as most of my friends think I’m crazy for living such a simple life, meanwhile they seem to be trying to out do each other with the biggest and most fancy house. Then they complain constantly about never having any money. I tell them you don’t need all that “stuff”, that is not what life is about. Maybe they will get it one day. I am sure glad I did. Anyway, thanks for the continued inspiration! Keep it coming!
Patricia Morris says
May 14, 2019 at 7:55 AMYou inspire me to keep going, keep trying, never give up. A little here, a little there. It’s a lifelong journey. I just want to thank you for doing what you do. God bless you.
Joy says
May 14, 2019 at 8:04 AMWow, this really lifted me today! I’ve been sunk in discouragement and stalled with so many things but this has provided the reminder I needed. It’s like a holy nudge to keep on keeping on in my small furrow, my own tiny, seemingly insignificant space. Thank you, Joshua! Bless you.
Gail says
May 14, 2019 at 8:09 AMInspiring reminder
Becky says
May 14, 2019 at 8:27 AMVery good advice. You’re inspiring, but I still need and electrical jolt to remove me from overwhelm,
Jennifer says
May 16, 2019 at 2:07 PMThat’s exactly how I feel. The overwhelm factor is very real! Today I have determined to grab the opportunity of starting my journey of becoming minimalist – Step one starts …NOW!
Claudia says
May 14, 2019 at 8:45 AMSome quotable stuff in there, today.
Brenda Hollick says
May 14, 2019 at 8:50 AMGreat message. Thank you Joshua.
Chris says
May 14, 2019 at 9:00 AMThank you for what you do, and I agree with the message that I think is central to this post, that there are many opportunities to be a meaningful source of good.
The examples you give, however, of people making a difference from a small beginning, do not give an encouraging message to everyone. All of the people mentioned are notable, world-wide successes in terms of their influence, and the implication is that this wide-ranging influence is what is important. You would probably agree that many, many people will only “matter” in a relatively small world, and that fact does not decrease their value. I have known too many people who are so disappointed in themselves for not having made a wider impact on the world.
Sue ahl says
May 14, 2019 at 9:41 AMThank you, Joshua. In this big world we forget everyone matters.
Mary says
May 14, 2019 at 11:15 AMI agree with Chris, but think you could expand this into a great grafuation / commencement speech!
Tracy Brink says
May 14, 2019 at 12:07 PMGreat article👍🏻
GB says
May 14, 2019 at 12:08 PMThis might be the most encouraging post I’ve read on any platform in some time. Thank you Joshua.
Donna Abernathy says
May 14, 2019 at 12:24 PMThank you, Joshua, for this reminder that we can ALL make a difference even in small ways! I love reading your posts and it has encouraged me in many ways to really think how might a purchase contribute to quality of life or not, as well as from an environmental perspective for our Earth. All of us can be the Change for the better! Very powerful!
Angela Tavan says
May 14, 2019 at 2:07 PMWe all want to feel significant and it’s good to know we all CAN be in some way however small that may seem. We need to remember that even the simplest smile can have a far reaching impact on many lives.
Thank you Joshua for your inspiration and encouragement.
(PS I’m glad we’re on the same page about dishwashers too) 😊
Mia says
May 14, 2019 at 3:09 PMThanks so much Joshua. Minimalism introduced by you changed my life. Living in a self-built off-the-grid little container home now in Australia close to the ocean from a stressed city life corporate 50+hr week 2 years ago. I’m studying nursing and each day marvel at my single items and the beauty in the simplicity that has changed every aspect from how I dress to what I eat. I truly enjoy life for the first time at 33. Thank you, eternally grateful.
Kate says
May 14, 2019 at 4:45 PMI love this!
Thank you from my small space in a corner of a room, looking out a window at a beautiful winter’s day in Adelaide, Australia. (sunlight streaming through and all that glorious stuff)
Kate
Sheila Fields says
May 14, 2019 at 7:54 PMI always enjoy reading your posts. I am on a journey to minimalism. I just started. I desperately want to be free of STUFF that doesn’t matter, in all areas of my life.
Thank you for your tips.
Christina gomez says
May 15, 2019 at 4:14 AMBeautifully written!
Margie from Toronto says
May 15, 2019 at 6:53 PMSuch a coincidence! I stopped off at my church’s Wednesday alternative service tonight (usually leave this one for the Gen XY group but I happened to be around this evening) and this was exactly the lesson!
How to be a good neighbour – how to build community – and how each of us can “do our bit” no matter how small.
I continue to declutter – I am trying to lighten my carbon footprint – am simplifying my diet and trying to give more to charity and I take inspiration from this blog and a few others on this journey.
Cherita says
May 16, 2019 at 6:54 AMYour book has changed my life!
Simplifying is a work in progress for me but one I enjoy immensely. Each simplify project I complete lifts up my spirit more than any “shopping spree” or monetary gift ever could!!
I look forward to your emails, and articles to help keep me focused and appreciative of my new life style. I feel more free and focused than I ever thought possible.