Doing Small Things With Great Love
By Christine
Who is your role model? Why?
I believe the essence of being empowered and poised is summed up by Mother Teresa. This frail, tiny woman was considered to be one of the most beautiful women of all time. Her smile and soul radiated unconditional love to all of humanity. Although her vocation was to serve the impoverished children of Calcutta, she motivated everyone to find Calcutta in their own communities. Poverty is not always expressed by financial status. It can be found in broken homes and broken hearts, sometimes right within our own social circles.
Mother Teresa encouraged everyone to “do small things with great love.” Her purpose and beauty is radiant through her unwavering love for all of humanity. I am thankful that my own mother is like Mother Teresa in my life. Love starts with one person, one sacrifice, one small act of kindness, and quickly spreads to set the world on fire. Take a minute to reflect on these questions in your own life. Who do you know experiences a type of poverty? How will you show them love? Will you glow differently after expressing an act of pure love? How can you love someone who has a challenging personality? Do they need to be shown your love the most?
What are you most proud of in your life?
I worked very hard to establish my own business, The Smyth School of Irish Dance. I opened the school in 2020 at age 22. Although I am proud of my teaching and business success, I am most proud of the children enrolled in the school. Everyday they inspire me with their joy, encouragement, and determination. I hold my dancers to the highest standard in dance technique, work ethic, and morals. Each student continues to surpass their personal goals while also lifting each other up as a family. Seeing my students live out the vision I’ve worked toward my whole life makes everyday incredibly rewarding.
What are you passionate about?
I am passionate about almost everything. I love to live my life in awe of little and great things. I am most passionate about brightening the corner I am in. For example, taking extra time to converse with a cashier, fully listening to a friend in need, or seeking out the person who seems to need a friend the most. In really seeing people as they are, and loving them where they are at. Passion can be really found in any activity.
What makes you feel confident?
I am confident in my mission and purpose in life. My biggest goal is to become a saint in heaven and to bring as many friends with me as possible. I am not even close to being perfect, but perseverance and resilience is most important. Living one’s life as a beautiful story makes every person a main character who works toward becoming the best version of themselves. Everyone's life matters and everyone’s work is incredibly important. Everyday is filled with thousands of choices. Joy is gladness not based on circumstance. When we choose to react to all situations with peace and joy, we begin to thrive. There is great joy that can be discovered through suffering. In living out one’s purpose and highest goal daily, we can change the world.
What is your favorite inspirational quote?
“Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”
What advice would you give to your younger self?
I would tell myself to rise by lifting others. When we live our life from a place of love, we become empowered and poised. When love increases, so does joy, gratitude, wisdom, eagerness to learn from others, confidence, a mature skillset, and personal success. Imagine if everyone took focus away from themselves and were thoughtful in caring for others. Rather than following one’s personal schedule, agenda, and staying in their comfort zone - live life with open arms. Set personal goals, but let them stem from selfless motives. Death is the best reality check we can be given. When someone is facing death, suddenly they realize what truly matters. The small fender bender, the minor jealousy, the burnt dinner, and the unfair grade do not matter. What matters is family, friends, and living every moment to the fullest - even when we do not feel like it. I would ask my younger self to embrace everyday as the greatest opportunity for as long as she lives.
