I genuinely love the community that UMM offers to its students. Morris is welcoming, friendly, and thoughtful, for the most part. I believe that Morris provides a community that is open to anyone, and allows everyone to be themselves. Most students at UMM are over-involved, something that Morris is known for, which is amazing because people actively pursue their interests. Students branch out into multiple student organizations while taking a full course load and maybe even working a little. I've said it many times before--I love it here; although, I think we occasionally become too focused on how busy we are and everything that we need to do that day that we forget the little things--like holding open a door for someone.

Holding a door is small, yes, but not meaningless. In the ten extra seconds it takes to hold open a door, you are not going to be able to do much that is actually productive. You may be ten seconds closer to your class or ten seconds closer to working on homework or a number of other things that we worry about on a daily basis. How much of a difference will that ten seconds really make in your own life? It probably won't make much of a difference in your own life, but in someone else's, it could be the difference between a good day or a bad day. In the ten seconds it takes to hold a door you can show someone that you thought about them, even if you have never even met before.

Lately, I have become more conscious of doing this simple task for others every day. It's such a minuscule thing to do, but it shows others a moment of kindness that may just need that day. Even if they don't say thank you, I still strongly believe that it's worth it. I did a little something extra that day for someone else, even if they didn't seem to care. Maybe by holding the door for them, they'll do something kind for someone else. I like to think of small acts of kindness as a kind of domino effect. I believe, perhaps naively, that one act of kindness sets off another and another and continues on.

Why not try to make someone else's day better even if you are having an awful day? I would much rather spread some small good deeds rather than frustration. I think it is all worth it when you do get a thank you or a smile. Even if I don't get a thank you or some sign of gratitude, I still feel better about myself and that I'm trying to improve other people's days. I would much rather be a little late for a class because I was helping someone else, than be early and just sit in class waiting for it to start. Why not spread some kindness? It only takes ten seconds.