Last Wednesday I woke up to a text that told me that someone I admired greatly had passed away. While it didn’t necessarily come completely out of the blue, it was still a shock. As I was sitting on the bus on my morning commute and looked around me I realized that while I felt the world had lost a tremendous person, the world itself just kept on moving. People going on about their everyday life, rushing to their jobs, taking selfies, laughing, arguing or just sitting there with their headphones in looking out the window.
Throughout the entire day, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this was not right. More tribute should be paid to this wonderful person that has impacted the world around him so greatly. That’s when I realized that more often than not the real heroes in our lives don’t ever get the recognition that they deserve.
Mother Teresa said: “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” Everyone has at least one person in their life that they believe has made difference. Whether that was just on a small-scale level or even on a level that affected many people. These people are the unsung heroes in our lives.
This letter goes out to anyone who has impacted or even changed the world for the better.
1. We see you!
While you might not be recognized on national television or your posts don’t get thousands of likes, don’t believe for even a second that your actions go unnoticed. Your doings have a great impact and the world would be so much worse off without you and your actions.
2. You make a difference!
Your involvement and your care affect someone every single day. If it weren't for you this world would be a little bit darker. You don't need to mobilize an entire nation to get a law changed or participate in a demonstration to truly make an impact. Little acts of kindness or your participation in the community can sometimes have the same effect.
3. Don't ever change what you are doing!
It might be quite frustrating to not get the credit or the recognition you deserve for your work. Truth be told, that is just not okay. You should be praised and be shown the appreciation that you have earned. But even if that is not the case don't let that discourage you from continuing on. One day you will see the fruit of your labor. Maybe not in the way that you will expect but it will come.
4. Thank you!
Thank you! From the bottom of our hearts. Thank you for being here and making an impact in the lives of other people. Without you, this world would be much greyer.
To my own unsung heroes:
I have been so incredibly privileged to meet so many extraordinary people that have shaped me and my life. Every single one of you no matter how small of a difference you have made to me personally or to the world around you, has been branded in my mind. And while I might not always say it I am grateful every single day that our paths have crossed. You have helped me to change and become a better person and that for me is more than I could have ever asked for.