Dorothy Day and 'The Little Way'

Given what we see in the daily news headlines, most of us know that there are major changes needed to turn from a path of collective destruction to one of restoration and harmonious balance and wellness. This realization can easily become overwhelming, and more than a few people ask, "What can I do?"

With calls to major activism — advocating on behalf of children, the elderly, the 'working poor', First Nations and indigenous cultures, ancient wisdom, environmental health, dignified healthcare, ethical institutions and leaders, and more — it's easy to overlook one of the most powerful, and empowering, ways of spiritual activism and engagement that Dorothy Day called 'the little work'.

'Little' is often obscured in a culture blinded to all that isn't 'big'. Yet this is precisely the 'little way' and the 'little work' that gives life to Gandhi's challenge to 'be the change you wish to see in the world.' Small things, kind gestures, add up and ripple outward, perhaps combining to create an effect far larger than one seemingly impressive (albeit more noticeable) 'big work'.

What is the 'little way' or the 'little work'? It can be a lot of things, but the gist is to do the ordinary in an extraordinary way — to enliven what you do with a spirit of loving-kindness, skillfulness, mindfulness, and dignity. In this way, even the smallest and most mundane action can become a radiant and loving prayer, while also magnifying the potential reach of the 'larger' works.

Many wisdom traditions emphasize aspects of 'the little work' in teachings about 'skillful communication', doing no harm, practicing loving-kindness, embodying compassion, being grateful, collecting evidence for grace, and living into 'right livelihood'. And most traditions teach that we do 'the great work' by cultivating these within us, which increases our capacity to embody such 'lived virtues'.

Each of these is a larger wave made up of the smaller ripples of hour by hour, day by day conscious choices. We're not perfect, though we may be 'perfecting' as we realize when we have a choice and make the ones that are kinder, more loving, more harmonious, and more heartful.

This is an empowering way, because any one can choose to walk it at any time, on any day, no matter what the condition.

With such thoughts we can, collectively, change the world, because our thoughts are seeds that grow into powerful and constructive action.

With love,
Jamie