How Small Acts of Kindness Can Make a Big Impact

It doesn’t take grand gestures to change the world. This post explores why the smallest actions—like a smile, a kind word, or a playful gift—can uplift someone in powerful, lasting ways.

For my birthday, my brother sent me soup from a company called Spoonful of Comfort. They’ve clearly poured their heart into the unboxing experience—uplifting details on the packaging, thoughtful touches that make you feel cared for before you’ve even tasted the soup.

As I opened the box, I noticed a quote printed on the side, one that stopped me in my tracks:

“We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.” — Mother Teresa

That single line reflects one of the core truths we hold close at Ploppals: it’s the small things, done with great love, that can make the biggest difference.

Why are small acts of kindness so powerful?

Big, grand gestures are beautiful—but it’s often the everyday kindnesses that change us most. A smile. A note tucked into a lunchbox. A reminder slipped onto a desk or taped to a steering wheel. Small, ordinary things that whisper: “I see you. You matter.”

That’s why we’ve created resources like our our Kindness Notes (ready-to-print messages you can share at school, work, or home) and our Positive Ploppal Drops (stickers designed to brighten someone’s day). They’re tools to make connection simple—because sometimes the hardest part is finding the words.

And then there are the Ploppals themselves—those poop-shaped cheerleaders who remind us, with humor and love, that even life’s messiest moments are worthy of laughter, compassion, and connection.

Because while we can’t always do great things, we can offer small ones with great love. And those small things? They ripple outward. They add up. They are what change the world.

Love in the Everyday

We may not all change the world in sweeping, dramatic ways. But we can leave kindness where someone least expects it. We can offer laughter in the middle of tears. We can remind each other that even on the messiest days, we are loved.

Because the small things—with great love—add up to something extraordinary.

3 Easy Ways to Spread Kindness Today 💛

1. Leave a Kindness Note
   A few thoughtful words can turn someone’s day around. You can use our Free Printable Kindness Notes or simply jot down something from the heart.

2. Gift a Ploppal
   Whether it’s a Crochet Flower Ploppal or a Plushie Pocket Ploppal, these silly, sweet pals are a joyful reminder that someone cares. Perfect for coworkers, neighbors, or “just because” moments.

3. Say Something Unexpectedly Kind
   Compliment someone’s laugh. Thank the grocery clerk by name. Tell a friend they matter. These tiny, verbal moments ripple far wider than we imagine.

Kindness doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be shared.

Heather
Founder, Ploppals