Do you remember the sidewalk chalk craze? The one during Covid that went viral after several precious children decided to make passersby in NY simply smile? I remember thinking to myself, how can chalk change someone’s perspective? Until one beautiful Saturday morning run outside when it actually changed mine.
Goodness, I know everyone is tired of talking about COVID-19, but I also know that in some way, shape, or form, COVID-19 affected each of us in some way. For me, someone who desires to actively see improvements and movement in a positive direction, I remember vividly thinking, I need to do something. I think many of us were thinking many of those same sentiments. How do we help? What can we do? Aside from Covid, though, I think that is a common stream of thought for so many of us. Daily.
What can I personally do to help someone else? Like, now. Like, today.
What tangible effort can I make today?
So many times, I think we think so long about what we can or cannot do that we end up doing nothing. Or, we think that what we CAN bring to the table is already being done by someone else? Or maybe, we think, what we DO have is not enough. Nonetheless, many times, we end up doing nothing because we become stuck, and then time moves on, the circumstance changes, and we, too, move on. Then, another big event happens, and the cycle begins again. That is until we can shake ourselves from the mindset that what we have isn’t enough.
I am a runner, so for me, clarity and peace of mind often find me on the trails. One Saturday morning run, I passed by a house with several chalk scriptures. One of the scriptures hit me hard. It literally stopped me in my tracks, and I actually snapped a picture of it.
It read: “I loved you at your darkest. Romans 5:8”
Now, I know for many of us, Covid was a dark time. It was strenuous and challenging. It was scary and discouraging. It was filled with anxiety and fear. Yet, amidst the unknown and sadness, I know for my family, there were still so many intense moments of peace and hope. For me, the sidewalk chalk scripture and encouraging quotes stood in that place. The chalk scripture filled my heart with that peace and semblance of “we’ve GOT this.” Everyone who passed by or jogged over or strolled next to those chalk words that day was also given that same opportunity to feel that uplifting feeling. For so many, though, these colorful sidewalks were so much more than a fun activity. They meant encouragement and togetherness and solidarity.
A few days later, I started thinking about how impactful that scripture was to my heart. That simple act of drawing with a piece of chalk on a sidewalk.
You know that quote by Theodore Roosevelt that says, “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” I took that quote to heart and decided to stop looking for all the ways that I couldn’t help during this crazy time and started looking for the things that I actually could do. And so, I started. I did what I could with materials I already had right in my driveway. Even though we were told to “socially distance,” I did what I personally could to hopefully provide that encouragement to someone else.
It was therapeutic. It was joy-filled. It was uplifting.
Be the good that you can be.
Stop making the excuses that “someone else” is already doing it or “That’s too small of a task” – Use your talents. Your gifts. What can YOU do today to help shift someone’s perspective from the negative to the positive? Could you buy someone’s meal in the drive-thru line? Can you volunteer your time at the local humane society? Can you bake cookies for someone next door? Find what YOU can do, and do it. You never know, you could shift their perspective.
Oh, and by the way, I have continued with my chalk writing. My kids are even joining in on the fun! Many days, I have neighbors pass by and tell me what it has meant to them over the past year to see consistent positive words. Interestingly enough, though, I think I am the one who has benefitted the most. Be the good. Right where you are. You have everything inside you right now to do what it takes to change someone’s life.
Start today.
You are enough.
Erin Nash, MS, EdS, APC