Katelynn's+Page

= I believe in the little things = I am a junior at University of Colorado Boulder studying Speech Language and Hearing Sciences with a minor in Linguistics. I hope to one day work with and help children.



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 I believe in the little things. I think that people have the power to change the course of a stranger’s day through small acts, something as simple as buying someone’s daily cup of coffee. Whether it is a tall black coffee or an extra hot venti low-fat caramel cappuccino, making a stranger smile has more power than just saving the person eight dollars; it has the power to warm their heart.

 When I seemingly sleep-walk into the little coffee shop on the corner in the morning, it is full of sluggish people struggling to look alive. Among these people is the suit-clad businessman that needs his morning cup of joe to get through the headache of the upcoming day. He waits while talking on the phone, trying to organize his plans as the stress sets in. Buying his cup of coffee might just remind him that life does not revolve around the 9 am meeting he is going to be lucky to make on time.

 I do not expect any kind of reward for buying the coffee or for anyone to pay it forward. I do it to see the coffee stained smile on someone’s face. The change that I made is visible and may last a few hours or get the person through the whole day.

 When I go into the coffee chain to grab that quick afternoon pick me up, I see the mom of three there for her lifeline. This is the cup of caffeine that will allow her to finish the day of running around without crashing before dinnertime. Buying her latte gives her the chance to step back and breathe in that bit of peace in her chaotic day.

 Some people may say that buying coffee for others is a selfish act because it lifts my spirits just as much as those that I buy the coffee for. This may be true, but regardless, I still like to add a positive note to a random persons day.

 When I drag myself into the coffee house after work, I soon find out I am not the only college student there. I am not alone in needing help getting through the night full of homework and studying that lays ahead. Buying that cup of coffee for my peer and seeing the relief on their face brings joy to me.

 ﻿ Buying a cup of coffee is not the only little thing that can change the course of someone’s day. Next time you walk past that meter about to expire, take the time to throw a couple of quarters into it. Add a few extra dollars to the server’s tip and see just how much of a difference it truly makes. Even wait a few more seconds to hold the door open for the person walking behind you. The little things you do make a big difference. It is like the saying that your parents tell you when you are young: “Do to others as you want done to you”.