Photo of the Week: Dent. Yesterday, I was in a car accident. I am okay; my car is not. This experience has taken a lot of space in my mind since it happened. So, I decided to look at it symbolically.

A dent is often considered to be a small impact. For example, “Picking up paper on a walk only makes a dent in combating pollution,” or “My vote doesn’t matter–it only makes a dent in global situations.”

Don’t underestimate the power of a dent! The dent in the photo has big repercussions for me, the other driver, and possibly, the witnesses.

Often, examples like those above, are used to discourage focus on a particular action. It is important to consider actions that may only make a dent. At times, it is better to focus resources on bigger impacts. However, the work of a dent could have major consequences for the doer. It may be that picking up trash or saying hello is a small action, but it can add confidence in the values of the doer. Picking up trash can spur the doer to see with fresh eyes or invigorate a passion for acting on what they value. Doing good, performing according to your values, builds self-confidence and moral stamina. It can help you become who you truly want to be.

Likewise, chipping away, making dents, in your moral armor, can cause complacency. It can cause numbness toward your own values. For example, “I’ll just throw this one bag out the car window. What difference does it make?” When you become comfortable with discarding one bag, two bags seems easier.

Tell me about the dents in your life. What has impacted you in bigger ways than you expected?