Today's guest post is written by Laura Backes; she enjoys writing about all kinds of subjects and also topics related to internet providers in her area. You can reach her at: laurabackes8 @ gmail.com.

The idea of the butterfly effect is a chaos theory which very loosely refers to the idea that even the smallest movement can affect a larger movement. It gets its name from the scenario that a butterfly fluttering its wings in some small obscure place can totally throw off the entire weather around the world. This same theory can be applied to volunteering and the overall effect it can have on the world. If you’ve been on the fence about volunteering or just doing something good for someone else, then it’s time to take a step forward and give it a try.

I was 12-years-old when I first tasted what doing something for someone less fortunate than I could do. My church held an annual “shoebox of presents” drive for kids all over the world that weren’t going to receive any presents for Christmas that year. I picked a child to sponsor and my mom and I went to the store to find presents to fill the shoebox with.

If I had never heard from the child again it still wouldn’t have changed the immense gratification I got from buying presents for someone who couldn’t afford them. They weren’t expensive, they weren’t flashy, but they were more than this child had ever received from anyone.

As it turned out, I did get a letter of thanks from the child, who obviously had help writing it, along with a picture. The look of pure elation and joy that the child had on his face as he clutched the box was enough to solidify in my mind that every single act that we perform for others – no matter how big or small – can affect people in a positive way. And it is these moments of happiness that make a difference.

Far too often people don’t volunteer, or even just extend a helping hand, because they don’t believe that their small contribution will make a difference. But it’s every single small act of kindness bound together that changes lives. It is because so many people step forward and offer that helping hand that we are able to help those who are in more unfortunate situations.

If you’ve been debating doing service work, volunteering, or even just donating your time, support, or small goods to those who are in need then don’t wait any longer. Now is the time. Let your small ripple of good create the wave that floods the world.