We can do no great things; only small things with great love.   —Mother Teresa.

I feel fortunate to be able to work with talented people and to be involved in projects that are resulting in positive change. At the same time, I am open to the possibility that there might be something else I could be “called” to do. Are there different ways I could be supporting others, challenging myself and having a bigger impact?

In his book Becoming Real, David Irvine says “I am increasingly finding value in simply being and doing good work”. He reflects on the impact of the many people we know who go about their daily lives giving their best to their jobs, their communities and their families, and who will never achieve fame or recognition by our traditional standards.

My daughter turns 18 this month, and each year in April, my mind goes back to the time of her birth. When I was just 21 weeks into my pregnancy, I ended up in the emergency room in early labour. Over the next 5 weeks, there were countless people who, in the course doing their daily job, contributed to my care and the care of my unborn baby. There was the doctor who immediately put me on bed rest, the nurses who whisked me from the emergency room to the maternity ward the multiple times I arrived with signs of labour, the doctor who eventually put me in a hospital bed until the baby the was born, the doctor who prescribed steroids to advance the baby’s lung development, my family doctor who focused on my spirit and my well-being, the doctor who hastily delivered my tiny baby when the time came – all of these individuals would say they were “just doing their job”. In addition, there were the countless calls and visits from family and friends who did whatever they could to help us out at home with a toddler, and to off their emotional support.

The outcome from all of those people who were going about their daily work was a baby who weighed 1 pound 15 ounces. She spent 10 weeks in the hospital and was monitored closely for 5 years. While we waited to see repercussions from her early birth, she just continued to grow and carry on as any baby, toddler and child would. She is now a healthy, strong, compassionate 18-year old honour student and competitive athlete. I marvel at the miracle of life from such a tiny being to our daughter today and we have no one person to thank; instead, we have countless people who just did good work in the course of their day.

So, while I muse on my calling, I will continue to do what I can in my interactions each day. I am also profoundly grateful to all of the people I know, and those I don’t know, who do their own good work each day. To all of you, thank you.