Fussy babies. Challenging teenagers. Demanding bosses. Difficult roommates. And on top of that, it’s the time of year for so many people where holiday stress, expectations, and demands can add to your already-full plate. As you try to deal lovingly and patiently with the people in your life and cross off those items from your to-do list each day, you may ask yourself: “Is what I am doing really important? Does it matter? Am I making a difference?”

The answer: Yes.

In 1961, almost overnight, the Berlin wall was constructed in Germany. Suddenly, an already struggling nation was divided in two. Families and loved ones were torn apart and remained so for almost 30 years. The wall eventually fell in 1989, reuniting loved ones and communities and marked the beginning of the end of The Cold War that had been brewing since WWII. Part of the Berlin Wall remains today as a memorial to that period in history. Written on one of those remaining sections in bold, uneven red letters are these words:

Many small people who in many small places do many small things that can alter the face of the earth.

When you feel like you are just one person—a coach, a mother, a sister, a brother, a friend, a neighbor, an employee, a spouse—doing a small thing—preparing a meal, sweeping the floor, preparing an agenda, sending a text, meeting with a new client—and it feels like the tiny, mundane task you are doing doesn’t matter, stop and think of these words:

Many small people who in many small places do many small things that can alter the face of the earth.

Here are ten small things you can do today that may alter the face of the earth:

1. Send a text message to someone you haven’t spoken to in a while.

2. Say “thank you” to someone.

3. Pay a thoughtful compliment.

4. Bring a cup of coffee to a coworker

5. Hold the door open for someone.

6. Allow another drive to merge into traffic.

7. Smile at a stranger.

8. Forgive someone.

9. Listen intently.

10. Pick up a piece of trash.

In a time when you may feel fear or powerlessness in the face of complicated relationships, political unrest, and disagreements, you can rest assured that, while you can’t solve all the world’s problems, even your small acts of kindness have the potential to change the world.