If you are fortunate enough to have had some successes in your life, the truth is that there were probably some critical moments along the way when it seemed like it would not all work out. When things were on the verge of falling apart. And, in some of those moments, I suspect, there was some angelic person who gave you a helping hand. Who believed in you. Gave you courage. Perhaps financial support or helped in some other special way. And, you know ‘deep down,’ that you would not be where you are today had it not been for that person’s selfless act of support.
We have all had moments like this, and we have all had people who have stepped in to be our guardian angel. And because of this, we need to be properly grateful. It’s important to give recognition and thanks. Although most such ‘angels’ are not really looking for thanks. Nonetheless, our own feeling of gratitude is supremely important, and perhaps the most impactful way for us to show our thanks is to pass the favor forward. To use our time, our resources and our positive spirit to selflessly help someone else in their most critical moment of need.
When we reflect on these moments of quiet heroism, we often realize how a single gesture can ripple through an entire lifetime. A word of encouragement when we were ready to give up. An introduction to someone who would open a door. A small loan that bridged an impossible gap. These are the seemingly modest acts that have the power to change a destiny. And in the grand mosaic of our experience, these gestures shine brighter than any personal achievement because they remind us that no one truly succeeds alone.
Just as we were lifted up when we needed it most, there will come a time when someone else will look to us in their hour of uncertainty. Perhaps they won’t even ask directly. Maybe we will simply sense their quiet struggle or recognize in their eyes the fear of falling short. In those moments, we have a sacred opportunity to step forward, to be the reassuring voice or the outstretched hand. Our willingness to act can make the difference between someone giving up or finding the strength to carry on.
And so, it becomes a kind of beautiful cycle—receiving help, offering help, and inspiring others to do the same. It is how communities are built, how families stay strong, and how each of us honors the unseen angels who once guided us. When we choose to pass along the grace we were shown, we affirm that kindness is never wasted. It echoes on, long after the moment has passed, shaping the world in ways we may never fully see.
