For some time, I have carried around this mini do-gooder kit on a quest to prove that little things can make a big difference. I was on the prowl for just the right opportunity to put these tools to use, but every such occasion generally required equipment on a much grander scale.
A few months ago, I found a posting of a little girl fighting cancer who wanted people to write her letters. Straightaway, I sat down to do it, but found that I had no wisdom to offer one of her situation, who was, undoubtedly, much wiser than myself. I sat stumped until a thought niggled into my brain: maybe it was time to pass along the do-gooder kit.



It quickly became a treasure chest.



It was filled with contents, such as the mini do-gooder kit, an angel with a scroll of paper rolled up inside for recording future goals, a glass star from a figurine of another angel that fell apart during a move, etc. I like stars... and angels. They bring happiness. I put these smaller items into a jar that once held my mother's beauty cream — that, and because it's just so pretty.



Next, I pulled up Google Maps and used the landmarks immediately surrounding the house where the letters were to be sent to make a real-live treasure map. Several question marks were markered-in to add mystery over the prospective hiding places. This was a helpful strategy, as I wasn't sure where the chest would end up getting buried.
(My map was nowhere this cool... but you get the idea!) Photo credit: edenpictures / Foter.com / CC BY
The mailbox-turned-treasure chest had everything from mini paints, to sidewalk chalk (which works great on walls!), to sparkly stickers, and a few other surprises — a treasure trove of delights!




 I disinfected everything, since I didn't want to send any germs with my gift, and added a special message that I once found on an ice-cream cone:



The address was only a few hours away from where I was living, so I made an afternoon of it. Once I found the place, I parked across the street and sat for a moment, debating on just the right spot to hide the chest, now wrapped in brown paper. I waited for the coast to clear, then casually strolled across the street, hoping no one would notice me. Only then did it occur to me that people might think I was some sort of crazy stalker. This thought added an edge of insecurity to my activities and I'm sure my casual stroll came off about as cool as sporting bell-bottoms at a pool party.

Me in my secret agent hat

I took one last look around then made a mad dash to the nearest bush, where I hastily stashed the treasure.  The theme song to Mission Impossible played wildly in my head as I tried not to race back to the car. I'll admit, the temptation to speed away like a mad bandit — leaving behind nothing but a cloud of smoked rubber — was strong, but I kept my cool... plus, speeding bandits usually got caught.

Many miles down the road, I pulled over to add a few more landmarks to the treasure map, then rolled it up with a string down the center — for easy extraction purposes — and stuffed it into this green bottle:


Which I mailed on my way home... after all, the posting did ask for letters.
One can only presume that my package was delivered. I like to imagine a joyous treasure hunt, ending in victory at the last question mark on the map. I like to think of all the positive vibes our young cancer-surviving friend might experience while writing down her goals and planning for the future. I like to envision the great works of art she might create on her bedroom walls with her new set of mini tools.

Treasures, indeed.
In life, it's the little things that matter most:
Such as leaving your housemate a few extra rolls of toilet paper, just in case...


 Or returning the five dollars that you found in the street:
(you can read about that here)




Or encountering the Mystery Machine on an impromptu road trip.
(I did not catch a glimpse of Scooby Doo — but I was looking!)




It is my belief that even the most seemingly insignificant of people can change the world by serving with optimism. God's ultimate secret weapons. Experience teaches that a single ounce of goodness can counteract ten times its evil, as even the smallest flame can cast the darkness from a room. It's a flame that resides in all of us if we will but feed on the oxygen of positivity and turn our eyes outward from the all-consuming selfishness that plagues us daily. In turn, we will gain a sincere desire to give back, and in the process, unavoidably bless ourselves and the people around us.
If you want a better life, break out your secret-weapon do-gooder kit and see what happens. Your life will be transformed.
Eliott