Remember the little acts of kindness

Earlier this week, the world mourned the loss of a great innovator in Steve Jobs. Steve Jobs turned a company, Apple, struggling to become a world leader in technology and arguably one of the most recognized and sought-after brands in the world.

Now this weekend, the sports world is once again mourning the loss of someone who was a pioneer in his sport, Al Davis, the managing partner of the Oakland Raiders. Al served in almost every position one could in soccer and was one of the main forces in bringing about the merger of the AFL into the NFL and creating professional soccer as we know it today.

I only know what the media has published about these men, I never had a chance to meet them. I really have no idea who they really were, just their macro contributions to the world. And because of these macro contributions they are truly unique and that is why the world knows them so well.

It has been a very interesting last few weeks for me. It is the first time that I have passed through the celebration of the Jewish Holidays without my father being present. New Years dinner at my mom’s house seemed a bit empty without my dad. I sat down during memorial services for the first time.

Unlike Mr. Jobs and Mr. Davis, I knew a lot about my dad and his contributions to his world. I would consider those micro contributions, but just as important as what Jobs and Davis achieved. You read me right, as important as the macro contributions of Jobs and Davis. And the holidays once again put all of this in perspective for me.

There can be no argument that what both Jobs and Davis accomplished in their lives, at the macro level, affected more people and involved billions of dollars more than any of my father’s contributions.

But let’s be honest, how many of us can hope to do what Jobs or Davis were able to accomplish in their lives? While it is really the American dream to try, the reality is that few will reach the levels of Jobs and Davis. This is exactly why my dad’s achievements, at the micro level, are as important as his large macroeconomic contributions.

It is the sum of all the individuals in the world that makes it a collective place to live. Take, for example, the school crossing guard I see on my morning commute on Vine St. By the time he enters the street, he is waving his stop sign to oncoming traffic … he better be stop. His facial expression forces you to stop. He’s just a volunteer, but he’s been doing his job for as long as I can remember and protecting children. It doesn’t sound like much, but it makes a huge difference in the lives of the people it protects. A micro contribution to the world, but a macro contribution to the school and its students.

There is a decal on the bumper that I remember seeing more than once. It’s simple and all it says is “Practice random acts of kindness and mindless acts of beauty.” I, for one, will try to do this more and more as it is a way that I can make the world a little better and honor my father at the same time.