By Alliance Dream Team Member and Psychologist Dr. Yvette Erasmus
We’re excited to share this timely piece by Dr. Yvette Erasmus, a long-time friend of the Alliance and Dream Team member. She reminds us the power of care doesn’t have to be in grand gestures — it can be in the smallest everyday moments. Discover how simple acts of connection can break cycles of stress, shame and disconnection, even transforming our lives.
It’s especially important to remember this during these really challenging times when we feel we can’t make a dent in the massive problems that our world is facing. Too often overwhelm is our response.
But we can always make a dent and the effects can ripple far beyond our imagination. Erasmus says, “Sometimes, the most transformative act is simply being present with another person, listening deeply, and letting them know they’re seen and valued.”
Wisdom can be found in the simplest of ideas. Connecting, and allowing ourselves to be in community, can uplift us. It isn’t tricky, it just asks us to show up for each other.
Dr. Yvette Erasmus: The Hidden Power of Small Moments of Care
Sometimes, it’s the small moments of care that have the biggest impact.
I was reminded of this during a recent episode of Conversations from the Heart where two callers shared profoundly different yet deeply connected stories.
Each of the conversations revealed how simple moments of care, even in difficult situations, can transform relationships and lives.
Nate spoke about his sister, Ashley, who carries an overwhelming sense of responsibility for things beyond her control.
Nate’s desire to help her move from self-blame to self-compassion was palpable.
He realized that the most powerful thing he could do wasn’t to fix her or change her thinking but to meet her where she was, and so instead of countering her guilt with logic or assurances, he explored reflecting her feelings back to her, saying things like, “It sounds like you’re really trying to take responsibility for what’s in your lane.” By showing Ashley that her feelings mattered and creating space for her to explore them, Nate offered a small but profound moment of care — one that could ripple out into larger shifts over time.
Another caller, Jay, was grappling with how to approach a difficult conversation with an elderly client who was facing some life-altering decisions.
Jay’s heartbreak over systemic issues, including the lack of community support for vulnerable individuals, was clear, but she was resolved to show up for her client with clarity and compassion. She reminded herself that even though she couldn’t change the broader system, she could create a moment of care by framing the conversation around empowerment. Naming the difficulty of the decision and emphasizing the client’s agency allowed Jay to humanize what could have been a dehumanizing situation.
These stories stayed with me long after the episode ended.
They remind me of a profound truth: the hidden power of small moments of care lies in their ability to create connection, even in the most challenging circumstances.
We don’t always need to solve the problem at hand.
Sometimes, the most transformative act is simply being present with another person, listening deeply, and letting them know they’re seen and valued.
I’ve experienced this in my own life, too.
A few weeks ago, a friend called me in the middle of a stressful day, overwhelmed by a mistake she had made at work. I instinctively wanted to reassure her, to convince her that it wasn’t a big deal. But instead, I took a page from the podcast’s conversations and simply said, “That sounds so hard. You’re carrying a lot right now.” Her voice softened almost immediately. She told me later that what she needed most in that moment wasn’t advice or solutions — it was someone to sit with her in the messiness of her emotions.
Small moments of care like these matter because they tap into our shared humanity. They remind us that we’re not alone, that someone cares enough to pause and hold space for us.
And while they may seem small or fleeting, their impact can be lasting.
Think about the teacher who notices a struggling student and offers a kind word, or the stranger who holds the door with a smile on a hard day. These acts might not solve the root causes and broader issues, but they do create little pockets of light that help us keep going. In a world that often feels fast-paced and transactional, it can be easy to overlook these opportunities.
But what if we leaned into them instead?
What if we chose to believe that our small moments of care — a thoughtful text, a patient conversation, a warm cup of tea offered in silence — could change the course of someone’s day, or even their life?
Don’t underestimate the power of a moment of care. It’s through these moments, woven together, that we build the kind of world we long for — one that’s more compassionate, connected, and whole.
So the next time you’re with someone who’s hurting, or struggling, or just having a tough day, remember this: You don’t have to fix it. You just have to show up. The care you offer, however small, might be exactly what they need to feel seen, supported, and loved.
To hear the whole conversation, tune into Episode 77 of Conversations from the Heart.