The death of Nelson Mandela was not entirely unexpected.  Yet, I find myself still feeling surprised.  A part of me felt he was super human and would live forever.   He was definitely one of the good guys.  Arguably one of the most instrumental models of peace in the 20th century.  Someone almost larger than life.

I am amazed and inspired by the Nelson Mandelas, the Martin Luther King Jr.s, the Mother Teresas.  These people seem to be made of so much more than what I have inside.  The struggles they faced, the injustices they encountered, the suffering they witnessed were monumental. The modus operandi for them always was peace and love. The difference they made to individuals and to society as a whole will live on forever.

It’s hard not to feel a little inadequate when comparing myself to Nelson Mandela. So, for the sake of my self-esteem, I am going to stop doing that.

But, it forces me to look further.  To dig deeper.

Before I decided to be a stay home mom, I was a counselor.  I worked with at-risk kids, foster families, run away teens, people that were abused, kids who witnessed violence, kids with parents strung out on drugs, struggling students, stressed out parents, etc.  I was no Mother Teresa but I was able to do my share of giving back.  Of making a positive impact on other people’s lives.  Of loving.

For many years however, I have been out of the work force and focusing on raising my kids.  And now how have I impacted others?  What difference have I made to the world?  How have I loved?

One of the things Wahine Wednesdays of all things has helped me see is that we can all be Nelson Mandela-like.  We can all make a difference-large or small.  We all have a part to play in this world, some are starring roles and some are supporting cast members, all needed for the success of the show.

Wahine Wednesdays has shown a light on how something small can make a difference.  A small goal of two surf moms and the blog that followed has surprisingly made a difference.  It has connected people.  It has inspired people.  It has shown people that you can always reinvent yourself.  It has taken something ordinary and made it extraordinary.  It has made people smile.

So many people ask me about it.  They say it has inspired them to try something new.  Or to step out of their box.  Or stick to a goal. To focus on their joy.  To look at the positive. Or to lay fear aside.

Who new something so small could make an impact on people?

We are all presented with opportunities every day to make a difference in someone’s life.  The question is do we take them.

There are a million small ways we can impact others.

I forget about these little things sometimes.  I tend to minimize their importance.

I was reminded by a friend yesterday. She spontaneously invited me to lunch.  And after a lovely visit she gave me an unexpected gift.  Something to express how cool she thought Wahine Wednesdays was.  Something to remind me that even in it’s small way, it is important.

This small unexpected act of hers made me feel so incredibly happy.  So loved.

We can be a champion for civil rights, fight poverty, meet violence head on with love and become a nobel peace prize winner.  But, if that is a little out of reach right now, we should never underestimate the smaller acts of love.   And the power we have to impact someone else’s life in a meaningful way.

We are all made of the same stuff.  We are all capable of lifting others up.  We all have the ability to make someone feel loved.

Salty Kisses, K