You don’t have to do some great thing. Just brighten the corner where you are!
Have you ever wondered if your life really matters, if you’re really making a difference? That’s how one of our founders was feeling a few years ago. By all accounts, he was a successful professional. But he went to bed that night wondering, “Is there something I was supposed to do with my life? I wish I could do something that really matters–something great.”
The next morning, he had his answer. He woke up with a song running through his mind. A song he had not heard or thought about for at least 20 years: “Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do, Do not wait to shed your light afar, . . . Brighten the corner where you are.” The lyrics continued, “Though into one heart alone may fall your song of cheer, . . . Even from your humble hand the Bread of Life may feed, Brighten the corner where you are.”
The lyrics were written by Ina D. Ogdon way back in 1912, but that morning they spoke directly to his heart. And they brought to mind other songs such as One Little Candle: “It is better to light just one little candle, Than to stumble in the dark! . . . And, if everyone lit just one little candle, What a bright world this would be!” He began looking for opportunities to do small acts of kindness and encourage people in his area of influence. He was also inspired by learning about the Butterfly Effect (the concept that small causes may ultimately result in momentous effects–for example, the flapping of a butterfly’s wings in India could change the air pressure in such a way as to eventually contribute to a strong wind blowing in Washington).
As a musician and someone interested in culinary arts, he also kept thinking about some of the lyrics in Brighten the Corner Where You Are: “Though into one heart alone may fall your song of cheer, . . . Even from your humble hand the Bread of Life may feed, Brighten the corner where you are.” Finally, a couple of years later, an idea came to mind, to take songs of cheer and food to hungry people who really needed bread. That’s when he and his family started taking a piano keyboard and food downtown to share inspirational songs and nutritious snacks (and friendship and a listening ear) with the homeless community. Naturally, the name for this outreach became Brighten the Corner.
“The next time you see someone out on the street, don’t pass them by. Say hello, ask how they’re doing, get them something to eat. Just tell them that you care. Tell them that they are human beings. And I think that’s what I would ask of anyone.”
Mitch Snyder (1943-1990)
The first time we set up the digital piano keyboard downtown, was on a sidewalk where homeless people were huddling in the cold. It was two weeks before Christmas. As the music began, several of them were clearly listening to the familiar carols. Some got up and came closer to the keyboard. Some volunteers in our group were singing, and one lady (who we’ll call Sally) began to sing along. We were amazed by her beautiful singing voice. Sally not only sang, she also danced. Then tears came to her eyes as she told us how a particular song brought back sweet memories of how she used to sing that carol with her father. With tears in her eyes, but a smile on her lips, Sally thanked us over and over for sharing the live music with them that night.
One night another organization that we partner with, had handed out some food. As we were leaving, two of our homeless friends (who had arrived late) asked us if there was any more food. To our chagrin, it had run out minutes earlier. That’s when we decided that we ourselves would start bringing food along with the music, so that we would never have to tell a hungry person, “Sorry, we have nothing for you to eat.” We started buying nutritious meal-replacement bars that we put in a “snack pack” and we offer some tummy-filling Taco Bell Cheesy Bean and Rice Burritos.
So, as Mother Teresa said, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” And those things will make a difference! As we have gone back week by week, we have met many more of those folks and found them to be sincere, respectable people who happen to be in a bad situation. We find joy in bringing them encouragement, friendship, and hope.
