It is well known that the wise say “good things come in small packages."

Throughout my life, I have seen this statement speak its truth; especially on Christmas morning when I see that the smallest wrapped gift is the newest iPhone. But I have also seen that this statement is accurate when it comes to acts of kindness.

When it comes to the idea of doing good for the world, many people prefer to do a huge act of kindness over a smaller one. Huge trips to Africa, donating a check with lots of zeros, and organizing a large protest are all things that have potential to make a huge difference. These actions will never fall into oblivion, can provide a lifetime’s worth of fulfillment, and are things that many people strive to do one day.

On March 14th, many students in my school participated in the National School Walk Out. This event took place at a majority of schools in the nation and was considered not only a memorial for the 17 staff members and students who lost their lives to a school shooter, but a large protest against gun-violence and school security.

I decided to participate in this to honor those who died and to try and do my part to better the terrible things happening in our world. But after the protest, I realized I want to do more.

I am fully supportive for what this protest stands for. It can almost be deemed as a fact that a big act, like this, is the only thing that can spark a positive change. But, by no means will this one day protest create all the change many Americans wish to see. Nothing can happen with a snap of a finger. I realized after the walkout that to see the change we want, we must also pay attention to the small things too.

Gun violence is never okay. But the people who participate in it usually think that their reasoning is an exception. In the past stories I’ve seen with gun violence in schools, I have noticed that the contributors were students that were unhappy with their lives at school.

Whether we like it or not, the passing of gun laws is not our decision. We have to do other things to show our part in stopping any violent nature that appears in schools.

Those kids who decide to bring a gun into school are usually unhappy with their school lives and go through their day-to-day lives in isolation. In result, nobody knows whats going through their head. But there is a simple solution: reaching out.

Reach out to the kids in school that seem to have nobody. Be the one to end their feelings of isolation. Be the one to make them excited to go to school. Be the one to exterminate all possible thoughts of any gun violence.

Obviously not all students who are isolated are prone to committing something as terrible as participating in gun violence at school and isolation isn’t the sole reason people commit the acts that are too awful to describe; but being open to learning about everyone you go to school with everyday will create a positive environment and make receiving an education more enjoyable for everyone.

After trying that, if things still don’t seem right, report it. Nobody will penalize you if you truly feel unsafe and report something for the good of the whole. It is rather you be safe than sorry.

In the end, the small things can have the biggest impact. Sometimes, it is the easier option too. Not everyone can afford to donate a huge check, go to a third world country, or organize a nationwide protest, but everyone can do their part in making others feel like they are apart of something amazing. How many people can you learn about in one day? How many positive comments can you make in one day? How many people’s lives can you impact through one, small gesture?

I challenge you to find out. I assure you, you will make a difference.