Small Acts of Goodness
May 1, 2026
I had the pleasure of one week off this past month and I lived it “Northern Californian style” on retreat at Esalen, home of the human potential movement. Ocean views on the daily, yoga that stretched me in bunches of ways, massages with waves crashing below as their soundtrack, and a beautiful workshop with a loving facilitator and an awake group of participants. The focus of the sessions was meditation, yoga, and mythology. To be specific, Hindu mythology.
One of the stories shared was the story of the deity, Hanuman. It’s an amazing myth about devotion and discipline. Yet, it was the story about the squirrel connected to Hanuman which touched me more.
With Google’s assistance, here’s a shorter version. “During the construction of the Ram Setu (the bridge to Lanka) to rescue Sita, Lord Rama’s army of monkeys was carrying massive stones and boulders. A tiny squirrel wanted to help too but felt inadequate compared to the mighty monkeys.
Determined to contribute, the squirrel started a unique process:
- It rolled in the sand on the beach.
- It ran to the bridge and shook the sand off its body, filling the gaps between the large stones.
- It repeated this process, tirelessly carrying small pebbles.
A monkey teased the squirrel. The squirrel explained its actions, stating that it couldn’t carry big rocks but wanted to contribute to the construction.
Lord Rama was deeply moved by the squirrel’s devotion and love, which he considered equal to the massive efforts of the monkey army. He told his army that no contribution is too small, and that the pebbles the squirrel brought were essential to making the bridge strong.
As a sign of appreciation and blessing, Lord Rama gently stroked the squirrel’s back with his fingers. It is believed that the three white, or light-colored, lines on the back of the Indian palm squirrel are the marks left by Lord Rama’s fingers, a mark of his divine blessing and that’s how chipmunks got their stripes.”
So with the spirit of Rama still in my thoughts, I want to appreciate everyone and their small and important contributions to the world.
Ask yourself about your daily life:
- Did you bring your grocery cart back to the cart return spot?
- Did you smile and say good morning to those who passed you?
- Did you hold the door a beat longer for someone behind you?
- Did you pick up the stray trash and put it in the trash can?
- Did you do something that no one will thank you for because it was the right thing?
Now connected to your voice and the work of Stretching Your Learning Edges…ask yourself:
- Did you ask one more question before choosing to offer an opinion?
- Did you say, “Tell me more,” when you received feedback that triggered you instead of immediately dysregulating?
- Did you make room for the quieter voice in the meeting?
- Did you own your impact, not just your intention and did you apologize and change your behavior?
- Did you stay in a difficult conversation for just a minute longer than was comfortable because it was important?
- Did you see that your way is ‘a’ way and not ‘the’ way and realize your limitations?
- Did you notice your need to be right vs effective and then make a different decision?
- Did you in any way ‘bring water to the desert’ by stretching yourself to be more thoughtful and other focused?
On my office wall I have a poster that states, “Life is too short not to do something that matters.” Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by ‘the call’ of what can ‘matter,’ yet now I have internalized the chipmunk story and will remember that NO contribution is too small. It’s about intention, attention, and contribution. Do the small act. Add to the good. Join me.
Questions, comments, or suggestions? Feel free to email me at jennifer@jenniferabrams.com.
Cool Resources
Leadership X: Adult Development “According to PWC Trends in Human Capital survey in 2012, only 30% of CEOs are confident they will have the talent needed to grow their organization in the near future. CEOs are now confronted with a “complexity gap” that poses a bigger challenge than any factor measured in the last eight years in IBM’s 2010 Global CEO Study. Harvard’s adult development psychologist, Robert Kegan, claims that the constantly changing demands of modern life may be developmentally inappropriate for many – perhaps even most – adults. The majority of adults are quite literally “in over their heads.” This website explores the potential of adult development theory to anatomize leadership development.”
How to Work with (Almost) Anyone by Michael Bungay Stanier “Every working relationship can be better. This book shows you how to build the best possible relationship. One conversation. Five questions. Detailed guidance on how to prepare and set the relationship up for success. Key insights on how to maintain the relationship so that it will continue to thrive.”
Let the Learners Lead: Empowering Student Voice to Co-Create School Culture by Rachael Thrash “Blending personal experience with insights from youth development research, the book demonstrates how co-creation transforms school culture, so students discover the impact of their ideas, adults become more attuned to student experience, and communities grow more connected and equitable. Combining case studies from diverse schools, interviews with experts and young leaders, and actionable tools, the chapters offer a step-by-step approach to making student leadership inclusive, relational, and real.”
