Hi, this is Monique Rhodes. Welcome to the In Your Right Mind podcast, where we’re learning how to be happier by working with our minds. If you'd like to know more about what I teach, visit moniquerhodes.com, where you’ll find a wealth of resources to help you.
The Feeling of Powerlessness
We live in a world that feels vast, hyper-connected, and incredibly complex.
- Climate change
- Inequality
- Wars
- Political instability
These challenges can seem too big for any one person to solve. And when problems feel overwhelming, it’s tempting to shut down, to think, What difference can I really make?
We convince ourselves that our small choices, our daily actions, and even our voices don’t matter.
But the truth is, we are all making an impact every single day, whether we realize it or not.
So the real question isn’t whether we have influence—it’s what kind of influence we are choosing to have.
Apathy Is a Choice
Many people believe that by doing nothing, they are staying neutral.
- If they don’t take a stand
- If they don’t get involved
- If they don’t make an effort
They assume they are simply opting out.
But here’s the truth: Apathy isn’t passive. Apathy is a choice.
And that choice has consequences.
Every time we decide:
- Not to speak up
- Not to vote
- Not to educate ourselves
- Not to make more conscious choices
We are reinforcing the status quo. We allow problems to continue unchecked.
Apathy is not the absence of action—it is the decision to let things remain as they are.
The Lie of "All or Nothing" Thinking
One of the biggest lies we tell ourselves is:
- If I can’t make a huge change, my efforts aren’t worth making.
- If I can’t fix the entire problem, why should I bother?
But this kind of thinking is deeply flawed.
Imagine a ripple in a pond.
- One small action may seem insignificant—like a pebble being dropped into the water.
- But that single action creates ripples that spread far beyond what we can see.
The Power of Small Acts
- One person choosing kindness can shift someone else’s entire day.
- One person standing up for what is right can inspire someone else to do the same.
- One person making a conscious choice about what they buy, what they support, and how they treat others creates ripples that extend further than they will ever know.
We don’t have to change the world in one dramatic act.
That’s not how real change happens.
Real change happens through the small, consistent choices of millions of people adding up over time.
Your Daily Choices Shape the World
Every day, you are shaping the world around you through:
- The way you speak to people
- The energy you bring into a room
- The choices you make about what you consume
- Where you give your attention
- What you tolerate
- What you stand up against
These things matter.
So ask yourself:
- Am I leaving a mark that brings more compassion, awareness, healing, and hope?
- Or am I moving through life disconnected, unconcerned, or unwilling to engage?
Because whether you realize it or not, you are leaving a mark.
The Dalai Lama’s Mosquito Analogy
If you’ve ever felt like you’re too small to make a difference, remember the Dalai Lama’s story about the mosquito.
"If you think you’re too small to make an impact, spend a night in a room with a mosquito."
One small being can change everything.
And so can you.
Great Movements Start with Small Actions
No great movement ever started with one giant act.
- It starts with individuals making small, deliberate choices.
- A single vote is small, but enough of them change the course of history.
- A single protester is small, but when joined by others, they create a force too strong to ignore.
- A single shift in perspective—choosing to live with more kindness, awareness, and love—can lead to a thousand more changes.
You Can’t Fix Everything—But You Can Do Something
You don’t have to fix everything.
You can’t fix everything.
But you do have to decide what kind of energy you bring into the world.
Ask yourself:
- Do I want to be someone who stands by, watching things happen?
- Or do I want to be someone who—even in small ways—is part of making things better, simply by the way I show up?
Every single day, you are answering that question, whether you mean to or not.
Your Small Actions Matter
So today, choose something small.
- Smile at someone.
- Stand up for what is right.
- Make a conscious choice that aligns with your values.
You may not see the impact immediately, but the ripples are there.
And over time, those ripples become waves.
I hope this has been helpful. As always, be kind, take care, and go gently in the world.
