The Power of One

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Lisa Alioto

26 January 2021 24 comments

The power of one is pretty amazing.  Try throwing a rock in the water and watch the ever-widening ripples that it creates.  That’s the power of one!   How do you use your “super power?”

Each one of us possesses the power of one.  It’s the ability to turn someone’s day around, even in ways we may never realize or imagine.   While grand gestures are fabulous, quite honestly, it’s the little things in life that often make the biggest difference.

So how do you utilize your power of one? What are some ways that you can use it?  Here’s just a few options:

Kindness

Sprinkling acts of kindness everywhere you go in just one day can affect dozens of people.  It can turn their mood around, bring a smile to their face, and even make them believe in the power of one and start their own rippling effects.

So, what kinds of act of kindness can do this?  As I mentioned above, it often doesn’t take much.  A smile at a stranger who perhaps is feeling particularly alone can make them feel noticed.  Paying for someone’s coffee in line behind you is always a nice surprise and treat when it happens.  Even holding the door for a string of people filtering into the same store you are going into can be enough to instill feelings of caring in others.

Listening

This can be huge.  Oftentimes we feel the most hurt when we feel that we have not been heard.  Taking the time to truly close out all other distractions and listen to someone else can make all the difference in the world to them.

Tied to that, having empathy for their situation goes a long way as well.  It goes beyond listening to understanding their concerns and puts you in their shoes.   When you’ve achieved this level of listening, you’ve done your friend (or even stranger) a huge service.  Listening is one of the most powerful tools we have in our tool belt.

Happiness

Simply being happy can be powerful to those around us as well.  Happiness, like kindness, is contagious.  Don’t believe me?  Try smiling at someone and you will find you will get a smile automatically back.

Genuine happiness and expressing it around your environment leaves others looking around to see what you are so happy about.  And when we look around for something, we are much more likely to find it.  So, if you are happy, show it and share it.  Someone will pick up on the ripple you are creating!

Power of One Stories

Do you have your own power of one stories?  I would love to hear them!   What did you do that made someone else’s day?  Or caused a ripple effect?

 

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24 thoughts on “The Power of One

  1. Lovely post. I was brought up to hold the door for people, it’s something I e always done, as long as they say thank you, it’s gives you a positive feeling as well.

    1. Lisa Alioto

      Thank you Adam – I was raised the same way as well.

    2. This is such a good thing we should all remember! Each action we take ripples out into the world whether good or bad. It’s always best to do the best we can to ripple out the good

      1. Lisa Alioto

        Spot on Victoria! 🙂

  2. This genuinely gave me a lot to think about. I like being able to see myself as powerful and not powerless. Thanks for sharing!

    1. Lisa Alioto

      I’m glad you found it thought-provoking Jen!

  3. Wow I totally agree with this post… giving out kindness is something that no one will ever regret doing. And smiling to a total stranger makes their whole day. We are all going through so much but small act of kindness can totally change the world. Thank you for this post

    1. Lisa Alioto

      You are welcome Rayo – it’s amazing what one little ripple in the wave can start.

  4. I love giving hugs or smiling at babies. I realised it changes the atmosphere and creates a very wonderful aura.

    1. Lisa Alioto

      It definitely does Thero – thanks for sharing!

  5. Marjie Mare says:

    I believe in the power of one and I always tell my kids it always take one to make things and be that one. Thank you for that wonderful post.

    1. Lisa Alioto

      You are welcome Marjie – the power of one is pretty amazing, isn’t it?

  6. I think you’ve hit the nail on the head here – sometimes all you need is someone to listen to you

    1. Lisa Alioto

      It’s amazing with today’s phones and other distractions how listening has gone by the wayside – and how listening to understand can make such a different. Thanks for commenting Jade!

  7. Charity says:

    I love this post. being happy and spreading kindness are definitely so important. Especially right now during these trying times!

    1. Lisa Alioto

      Isn’t that the truth Charity! 🙂

  8. Aww, this is such a lovely post! I agree, small acts of kindness can make a big difference and brighten someones day! Even things like smiling at strangers can spread a little positivity and cheerfulness 🙂 Thanks for sharing Lisa, fab post! <3 xx

    Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com

    1. Lisa Alioto

      Thanks Bexa – I agree, something as simple as a smile can make a world of difference to someone.

  9. I don’t know if it counts, but I always smile at people when I walk past them, it make me happy, and usually they smile back!

    1. Lisa Alioto

      Smiles are contagious – they totally count and do create that ripple effect 🙂

  10. Absolutely beautiful. Small acts of kindness really make all the difference. Not just irl, but on social media too! Going out of my way to read other blogger’s posts, supporting and sharing posts & leaving comments on my blogger friends socials, are little things I like to do to spread love and kindness.

    1. Lisa Alioto

      Good point about doing it IRL and social media – really every avenue you can. Thanks for sharing Gabby!

  11. It was so nice to read. A smile can do a lot for others and even something simple like holding a door for someone can make a difference. Thanks for sharing x

    1. Lisa Alioto

      Glad you enjoyed the article V. You are so right – a smile or door hold can really make someone’s day. Sometimes it’s the small things. 🙂

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