We teamed up with community partners to fill the back of a truck with pet food, treats, toys, school supplies, ice packs, food, pillows, pillow cases and fresh sheets, then hand delivered them to people with permanent disabilities and to someone moving from the street into a safe place to stay with their pet. The way they said thank you made it clear that these heart led deliveries did more than meet practical needs — they restored a sense of belonging, showed that people cared and proved that our hearts, our time and our willingness to act are some of the most powerful resources we have to change the world or even one person’s world.
The way we show up for each other matters and the most powerful resources we have to make a difference in the world or even in one world, are our hearts, our time, and our willingness to act.
Yesterday, I met up with someone who does a lot of work for an organization in Mississauga. I let them know that I had met community members needing to choose between do I feed myself or do I feed my pet. Together as a team, we were able to load up the back of the truck and hand deliver months worth of wet and dry pet food, treats, accessories, dental products and toys to individuals with permanent disabilities. They also loaded up the truck with school supplies for students and tons of ice packs for my food deliveries meant for transporting products.
I also had the truck already filled with food, pillows, pillow cases, and fresh sheets for a community member who needed a bit of everything for themselves and for their pet as they start a brand new chapter from the street to a safe place to stay and needed a loving boost from some people “next door.” We were also able to set them up with high quality consistent food deliveries of fruits and veggies to help fill gaps in what they’re able to buy that will help keep them supported along their journey of creating a more desirable life experience.
The way they said thank you was felt from head to toe, the kind where there’s no doubt they are deeply impacted. I’ve been there on the other end feeling the same which is why I know the potential and impact of helping from the heart, as many community members’ hearts had helped me too when the journey of life brought me down.
Sometimes we reach moments in our lives where we have absolutely no idea how our circumstances can change or how there can be a way out of our undesirable circumstances. From what I’ve witnessed, it’s the people we cross paths with that stay with us, empower us, inspire us, connect with us at a genuine heart level and extend a hand where possible that help allow this change to take place.
We are all on our own journeys seeking inner and outer positive change and that change can take place instantly or it can take place slowly and be noticeable 5 years later. But every moment along that journey matters and the belief, loving actions or words, and heart-led acts of kindness make a difference. In many cases how we treat people affects how they feel about themselves because we are meant to belong and have value in society. When someone feels truly loved and a deep sense of belonging and connection, a lot can change in a short period of time.
“The most powerful resources we have to make a difference in the world or even in one world, are our hearts, our time, and our willingness to act.”
As I sit here today on the wooden benches in the forest, I conclude that the way we show up for each other matters and the most powerful resources we have to make a difference in the world or even in one world, are our hearts, our time, and our willingness to act.
Thank you to Miss Dixie’s Foundation and PetSmart Charities for loading up my truck so I could deliver all of these items and for understanding the best way to change the world is to work together. And thank you to Lori from Miss Dixie’s — a very special women who makes the world a brighter place for many.