Small changes over time.

One of my heroes is a little lady who spent her life far from the celebrity spotlight. She toiled tirelessly among the "untouchables" of India, bringing comfort and healing to the poorest of the poor; people with leprosy, blindness, and crippling diseases; those rejected by family and society.

Mother Teresa was often heard to say: "If I hadn't picked up that first person many years ago, the 77,500 plus who came next wouldn't have been picked up off the streets." Rick Rusaw and Eric Swanson, in their book, Living a Life on Loan (Standard Publishing), said of this amazing individual, "Mother Teresa is not admired for any one big thing in her life that stands out, but she is admired for a series of small things done consistently over time--none beyond the skill level or reach of any average follower of Christ."

Small things done consistently over time. Works well in humanitarian endeavors. Works wonders when it comes to health.

Would you like to take part in a one-person study? Since this project is very low budget, you'll have to be both the researcher and the participant. It will last four weeks.

All good research needs a control group, so pick a friend or coworker, but don't tell him or her about the project. They'll go on as usual. But you'll be making a few very small changes in your lifestyle. Are you ready? Here's what you do:

1. Walk briskly fifteen minutes a day in bright sunlight. I don't care where you go. Just walk. It might be during your lunch break at work or first thing in the morning. If it's cloudy, walk anyway.

2. Don't drink one drop of soda. Substitute, ounce-for-ounce, plain water. Not fruit juice. Not soymilk. Not coffee. Water.

3. Write a thank-you note to someone each day. I don't care who. Just write it. Thank him or her for something they did for you or someone else. Then end each day with a big "Thank you" to God for His many blessings in your life.

That's it. That's the entire study. Little adjustments, insignificant alterations, small changes.

At the end of the month, compare your weight, level of health, and overall attitude to your control "group." I think you'll be surprised what you accomplished with those small changes over time. To really amaze yourself, keep the study going for a year.

By the way, you'll probably begin finding a lot more for which to thank God. Don't worry. He won't mind. But don't be surprised if

He starts impressing you to invite your control group to launch studies of his or her own.

Let me know how it turns out.