by Mariam Nundu

Created on: March 10, 2009   Last Updated: March 30, 2009

It may feel sometimes as though as a single person there isn't that much we can do to really make a difference in this world. However this is not the case, for we are in fact more connected to one another than we think. It is this connection that creates a larger pool of influence for us, individually.

This six-degrees-of-separation connecting us to one another creates a powerful venue, which our actions can influence. We can see the impact and power of this connection in activities such as the 'chain mails'; a single email sent from individual A to B to C etc resulting in the email reaching sometimes millions of people across the world. The same power can be used to spread kindness and goodwill with ease.

The simplest thing to do is to have a genuine caring and upbeat mentality and take this with you in everything that you do. Genuine happiness and/or upbeat attitude to life is contagious. Studies have shown that generally happy/upbeat people tend to not only attract people to them but also are healthier and more productive. Sharing the happiness/upbeat can be either directly or indirectly.

Direct sharing comes from interacting with those one comes face to face with e.g., husband/wife, children, neighbours, shopkeeper, people at the bus stop/supermarket and so forth. Simple acts such as smiling, greeting or even complimenting someone can lift both your mood and the other. Indirect sharing involves interactions with those further from you i.e., not face-to-face. These will include telephone, text, email interactions. Using kind words, smiling while speaking (people can tell mood even over the phone), using appropriate emoticons on emails and texts and generally been kind, polite and caring/helpful.

Such simple things will lift the mood of many you come in contact with or at least make them feel genuinely cared for by you. In turn you will feel great for been helpful and at the same time boost your own happiness/upbeat mood to reach even more people.

Although it may not seem like a big deal that you lifted a few peoples' mood but the gem of six-degrees-of-separation is that those few people you touched will go on to touch many others who will in turn touch even more people and so forth. There is no way of telling in the end how many people will feel better, be more productive and healthier just from a single person's genuine caring/happiness and upbeat persona. Onething for sure is that it won't be long before the circle comes back to you, and it so happens that just when you start to feel a bit down someone reaches out to you. For all you know they are just returning the favour for reaching out to them directly or indirectly when they need it.

So remember keep positive and share the love everywhere, every chance you get with everyone you meet. It's good for the mind, body, soul and the world.

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