Small actions do add up

It seems like everything we talk about these days is big and audacious, whether it is building a new aquatic facility for our community or the lack of affordable housing.

And while these larger issues do need to be addressed, we sometimes forget that the little things matter. Small decisions we make every day add up to create how our community feels to both us and to others. Daily actions determine the future of our community and ultimately, the quality of life for ourselves, our families, our friends, and our neighbors.

In “This Is Where You Belong,” Melody Warnick offers up advice about finding and creating the place you want to call home. And these are not grand, sweeping gestures but rather small, daily actions which really can make a difference:

Walk more

Buy local

Get to know your neighbors

Do fun stuff

Explore nature

Volunteer

Eat local

Become more political

Create something new

Stay loyal through hard times

None of these concepts are earth-shattering but are rather common sense. Nor are they hard to do but are rather doable if you make a conscious decision to do them.

Attend a government meeting and find out where your taxes are going. Explore nature by strolling along the walking trail or visiting one of the many nearby lakes. Reach out to volunteer in something that interests you or could benefit from your expertise and enthusiasm.

Your actions don’t even have to be that big. Do you pick up trash if you see it laying on the sidewalk even though you didn’t drop it? Do you smile and say “Hi” to people as you are walking down the street? Do you plant flowers in your yard?

All of these actions add up to create a welcoming and inviting community that people want to call home.

But the first item - walk more - may be the easiest yet the most important item on the list. Why? Because by simply getting out of your vehicle and walking helps you to get to know your community. You see things you won’t see whizzing by at 30 mph. You meet people you wouldn’t meet if you are behind a windshield. You see up close and personal what needs fixing in your community but more likely, you see what is already great in your community.

While the weather is soon going to be taking a turn toward colder temperatures, don’t let that deter you from taking a nightly stroll or getting up early to walk to work.

I came across a quote about time travel the other day. While not word for word, the gist was that people are afraid to travel back in time because they are afraid some small change they might do may alter the course of history. And that may be true.

But it’s also just as true moving forward. Some small change you may do may alter the course of the future.

Each of us has the opportunity to take the small actions which add up to make our community what we want it to be. Can you imagine what would happen if each and every one of us did one small thing every day to make our community better than it was the day before? I am betting we would make McCook an even better place to call home.