No One Can Do Everything, But Everyone Can Do Something

No one can do everything, but everyone can do something. Think about the little things that you can do to help brighten someone’s world.

There is so much that needs to be fixed in this world that thinking about what you can do can be completely overwhelming. But while most of the big things can’t be handled by just one person, there are lots of small things that can.

You know that I love famous quotes. The best quotes become popular because they ring true with so many people. You may be familiar with some of my favorite quotes by Maya Angelou, Anais Nin, Mattie Stepanek on the Oprah Winfrey show, Helen Keller, and Eleanor Roosevelt, but you may not be as familiar with this Max Lucado quote – no one can do everything, but everyone can do something. 

Matt’s Story

My friend Matt is an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) and loves it. For many years now, he goes into his day dedicated to helping people – helping the people who want to be helped and helping the people who need to be helped. Matt has many amazing stories, and this is just one of them.

One day, while on the job, Matt stopped at a local fast food place to grab a quick lunch. He parked the ambulance and began walking into the restaurant when he noticed a boy sitting out front.

The boy (who seemed to be around 10 years old) was filthy and unkempt. Matt walked over to the child, took in the situation for a moment, made his greeting, asked a few questions, and then asked if the child was hungry. The young man answered with a quiet, but resounding “yes.”

Matt took the child inside and told him that he could order whatever he wanted. When the food was ready, Matt sat the child down at a table with his order. He said, “This is all yours. Eat as much of it as you want.” When the child paused, Matt got a to-go container. “If you can’t finish it all, put it in this box and take it with you.” The boy gratefully looked up at Matt and asked, “Really??” He replied, “Really.”

The boy began eating as Matt got his own to-go container of lunch. Before he left to return to work, Matt turned to the boy. “You can do this,” he said. “No matter what happens, you remember that there is an EMT out there who believes in you.” And with that, he left to get back to the truck.

A Small Thing Can Be A Big Thing

I do not doubt that that moment changed this child’s life. I hope that it impacted him for a long time and helped to lift him up. I hope that one day when he talks to a room of people to inspire them, he includes this in “The Story of My Life.”

Daily life can be difficult for everyone and it takes hard work, but it only takes a small gesture to touch another human being. You are the only person that you can control, so when you see an opportunity to offer something in that very moment, take it. 

Whether you have the time, the money, or the energy, you can help someone. Take in your surroundings. See the things, people, and feelings that might be hiding in the shadows.

No one can do everything, but everyone can do something. Hopefully, we can all offer a small gift to someone who might need it, whether that be emotional or physical. You may not think that your own actions could impact someone in such a profound manner, but the best way is to be open to it. It could mean great things to someone else.