There are so many philanthropic people with millions, or even billions, of dollars who do so much for those who have nothing. It’s always good when someone helps another person, animal—any living thing. However, there are those people who do little things for others that weigh in just as much as the others.

The unknown, unnoticed people. The ones who go about their lives quietly yet make a positive difference in the lives of others. The ones who are never picked up by the local, state or national news. The ones whose deeds are rarely, if ever, noticed by anyone. Who are these people whose deeds are microscopic in comparison yet mean so much to those they help and to those who witness them?

They are: the neighbor who puts out his neighbor’s trash every week without being asked and void of complaint just because; the guidance counselor who makes sure a child has a warm coat in the winter; the college student who takes off his shoes and gives them to the homeless guy; the frazzled, busy woman on her one day off who happens to notice a woman has fallen off her bike and turns around to help; the college students who find a lost dog and go out of their way to find its grateful owner and refuse to accept any reward; the young man who holds the door for an elderly lady even though he has to wait an eternity for her to get there; the woman who takes her lonely neighbor to chemo, takes meals to her and lends an ear; the woman who gives all of her horses to a program for troubled youth in the hopes of changing young lives for the good. The list goes on. And on.

Do these people ever receive recognition? No. Why is this issue important? Because it send the clear message that hope and kindness are still alive regardless of the current status of the world. I believe that these random acts of kindness have a dramatic, even life-changing, impact on those who receive the acts, those who perform the acts and those who witness them. They are the simplest of deeds yet they are profound in effect. The only thing I’ve seen that comes close to spreading the message of kindness is the Liberty Mutual commercial and, of course, the movie PAY IT FORWARD did a great job of illustrating the importance of these random acts of kindness. Even though showing kindness does not gain attention, people continue actively practice being kind. Lack of recognition does not thwart their efforts. Recognition plays no role in these unselfish shows of kindness. Of active caring. Of paying attention.

Just take the time to observe people everywhere you go and notice these little acts of graciousness, kindness, compassion. It’s everywhere but you have to look for it. It doesn’t stand up and draw attention to itself. It merely acts and leaves a mark that simply states, “I care.”