Why We Do What We Do: The Quiet Power of Community Kindness

• September 2, 2003

  Posted by: Ashley Seymour

  We received an email from by Carina Blumgrund who has volunteered extensively in the community and who was also presented the 2024 Mayor's Volunteer Service Award. She shared this with us, not for recognition, but in hopes that it "could be a small contribution to your work", we think it's a thoughtful and inspiring reflection and we're happy to share it here:

  

  ~ Carina Blumgrund, In honour and appreciation for the amazing HeartWorkers in my life.

  Some months ago, a dear friend of mine just reminded me of the true value of being involved in acts of kindness and generosity.

  He had poured so much heart into something that didn't unfold the way he'd hoped. His words carried a quiet sadness, the kind of sadness that comes from feeling unseen despite deep effort. In trying to remind him of his value and his incredible community heart, I ended up revisiting my own reflections about why what we do matters.

  It's not always easy

  Helping those in need is one of the most powerful ways we can shape a better world. But it's not always easy. Often, our gestures are met with a grateful smile or kind words. But other times, those we try to support may not respond the way we expect. They might not express thanks. They might reject the offer. Or they may continue down a path we were hoping to shift.

  Sometimes I hear people say things like, "I tried to help, but I'm not sure it made a difference," or "It feels like no one even noticed what I did." Others might wonder aloud, "Why keep trying when it doesn't seem to change anything?" or "Does it really matter if I show up?"

  I recognize these doubts because I've felt them too. At times, I've questioned my own efforts and even my purpose. It's a quiet uncertainty that can settle in when outcomes are unclear or when our efforts seem to go unnoticed.

  When I find myself in that place, I try to pause and reconnect with the deeper reason behind it all.

  Your Efforts Matter

  For those who already give of themselves, quietly, consistently, without fanfare, I want you to know that your efforts matter, even when they go unnoticed. You are part of something essential. For those watching from the edges, unsure if it makes a difference, it does.

  There is something deeply human about choosing to care. And for anyone who has ever wondered why someone would keep showing up when there's no guarantee of success or thanks, it's because, over time, helping shapes not only the world around us but the person we become within it.

  I've come to realize that the true blessing of being a helper isn't in being thanked or recognized. It lies in knowing we've contributed to creating opportunities for kindness, empathy, and understanding. It's the act of showing up with care and consistency that holds meaning, even when outcomes are unclear. Supporting others in a true spirit of community caring has the potential to make a quiet but lasting difference.

  A chance for change to take root

  When we extend a hand to someone who is struggling, we're not just meeting an immediate need. We are also offering a chance for change to take root. Whether that support is embraced or not, the gesture carries meaning. A warm meal, a listening ear, a safe place to rest, or a word of encouragement can plant a seed.

  We may never see the seed sprout. But weeks, months, or even years later, something may blossom from a moment we barely remember. A kindness offered in passing, a conversation that seemed to land nowhere. We can't control what grows. But we can choose what kind of community member we want to be and how we want to show up in the lives of others.

  The impact of kindness goes far beyond the individual

  As many community helpers and HeartWorkers know, the impact of kindness goes far beyond the individual. When people are empowered, they often find the strength to rise. In doing so, they can go on to uplift others. A person given a second chance might become a mentor. A child supported during a hard time might grow into someone who changes their community.

  But just as importantly, when we help others, we change too. We grow in empathy, resilience, and perspective. We develop patience, humility, and a deeper capacity to sit with discomfort.

  In serving others, we often meet parts of ourselves we hadn't known were waiting to be called forth. We become more grounded, more connected, and, I believe, more human. Helping, at its heart, is not about what others do with our efforts. It's about who we become in the process.

  Shape a more compassionate world, one small, powerful act at a time.

  I'm a strong believer that every act of kindness, every effort to lift someone up, is a quiet stand against indifference. Even when no one notices, and even when the outcome is unclear, something within us grows. And in that quiet growth, we help shape a more compassionate world, one small, powerful act at a time.

  Thank you, Carina!

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