The Smallest Act by Marissa

Marissaof Frankfort's entry into Varsity Tutor's February 2014 scholarship contest

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Marissa of Frankfort, IL
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The Smallest Act by Marissa - February 2014 Scholarship Essay

To the outsider, it seems too easy to hide true feelings by putting on a façade and faking a smile. This belief is quickly diminished when you are the one holding your hurt inside. Personally, I have been in this position and I know that even to the most welcoming arms, it is not always easy to open up. Now, I see colleagues and friends in my same situation, as everyone has their own unique battles to fight. In times like these, it is most important to let that individual know that they are not alone in their struggle. To the person who may simply need to know that someone cares, most of the time it is the little things that have the greatest impact. “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”

She was new to the group and uncomfortable with the surroundings, despite various efforts to make her feel at home. The only thing we really knew about her was her name since she rarely spoke a word. The only other thing we knew was that something worrisome was going on as she had been missing many events and that when she returned, we would try to do everything in our realm of possibilities to be there for her. I was apprehensive at first to approach her as she was very shy; I had no idea as to what she may have been going through. I knew I had to do something when I found her crying alone shortly after she came back. “What if she feels like no one cares about her? What if she just needs a smile or someone to listen and not judge?” Questions like these ran through my head. “I can be that person,” I thought. Even if it was just on one occasion, I knew I could be that person. So I was.

It only took an arm around the shoulder, the smallest act of caring, to change her perspective just the slightest bit. From a single conversation starting with “are you okay?” she understood that she had an army at her side. By the next day, she opened up to me, letting out a great deal of pain that she had been holding in for so long. I understood that in this case, I could only be just an outlet, yet being a listening ear on a few occasions was enough. From that point on, she began to break out of her shell. She became better accustomed to the group and decided to be more trusting in others. She did not even have to express her gratitude for me to finally begin to understand the impact of these little things, all of which have the incredible power to turn a life around.

Her life was not the only one that was changed due to this experience; what she does not realize is that mine was certainly changed as well. Because of her, it is now a priority of mine to be a listening ear for those who feel as if no one cares about what they are going through. I want to be that person for as many people as I can and anyone has the power to do just the same. There are no set rules on how to help others. Of course everyone’s situations differ, yet these universal acts of kindness elicit an impact that one could never even imagine. Sometimes it is impossible to see a struggle until these little things are done. Something as simple as giving a stranger a smile can completely change their world. Think about it: your smile might be the only sunshine they see all day.

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