The little gestures that leave behind a big impression on those around us — Nahrizul Adib Kadri

August 25 — There exists a comforting familiarity in how coffee is served whenever individuals come together. This practice occurs so seamlessly that it often goes unnoticed. Regardless of the setting, be it a university discussion, a religious gathering, a home visit during festive celebrations, or even after Friday prayers, a consistent unspoken protocol prevails.

The guests are served prior to anyone else. Among the attendees, the elderly members are typically attended to before the rest. Those seated closest to the coffee pot instinctively extend assistance to those seated farther away before serving themselves. No one vocalizes these subtle acts of courtesy. No one halts the conversation to explain their significance.

They simply transpire, as though a script never required scripting. Reflecting on these moments brings me joy, not due to their remarkable nature, but because they offer insight into the individuals around the table. Before any discourse on kindness, respect, or consideration takes place, such virtues have already manifested through seemingly insignificant actions that most of us fail to recognize.

The coffee cup finds its way into someone else's grasp before reaching our own. A seat is offered to an elderly guest. Someone patiently waits for all to be served before commencing their own meal. Serving coffee and offering it to guests may appear as mundane gestures, yet they profoundly influence the ambiance of the gathering.

This is likely why these practices persist within us. As Maulidur Rasul approached, I recalled how many of the customs attributed to the Prophet Muhammad fall into this category of everyday habits. They are not exceptional deeds reserved for momentous occasions. Many are surprisingly commonplace. Greeting individuals before engaging in conversation.

Expressing gratitude. Prioritizing guests. Showing respect to elders. Displaying kindness through a smile. Maintaining a neat and modest appearance. Speaking gently. These principles do not demand wealth, influence, or special abilities. Instead, they prompt us to be more attentive to those sharing our lives. At times, I ponder whether we have become so accustomed to seeking monumental changes that we overlook the enduring impact of ordinary habits.

We celebrate grand achievements because they are easy to recognize, yet much of our character is unveiled in fleeting moments that seldom garner attention. How we respond to phone calls or text messages, the obligatory "Take care" at the conclusion, is one such example. The patience we exhibit while someone takes additional time to explain themselves.

Whether we express gratitude to the individual clearing our table before departing the neighborhood eatery. Whether we extend a personalized greeting to the neighborhood cleaner each morning. All these seemingly trivial occurrences rarely make headlines. However, when we contemplate the individuals who have left an indelible mark on our lives, they are often remembered for qualities that closely resemble these.

They made others feel welcomed. They listened attentively, devoid of constant phone distractions. They never belittled someone for posing a straightforward inquiry. They remembered names, locations, and details shared only once. They created space for others to speak. Upon reflection, it is challenging to dissociate these small habits from the individuals themselves.

Ultimately, they contribute to the person's character (or "love language," if you subscribe to contemporary vernacular). This realization suggests that ordinary habits merit greater consideration than we typically extend. A grand gesture may inspire admiration for a day, whereas a small courtesy consistently repeated over years subtly molds families, friendships, workplaces, and communities.

Children perceive them without formal instruction. Colleagues mimic them inadvertently. These practices proliferate not because someone delivered a speech about them, but because someone demonstrated them frequently enough to render them instinctive. This perspective offers an alternative lens through which to view Maulidur Rasul.

Instead of pondering what extraordinary actions I should undertake, I find myself directing my attention to the ordinary actions I may have previously neglected. These prospects are remarkably proximate. They manifest in our daily discussions, encounters on our commute, the coffee we pour for someone else before serving ourselves.

Perhaps this is how many beneficial habits endure across generations. They are never intended to be sensational. They gradually become an intrinsic part of everyday life until, without realizing it, they become an integral facet of who we are. And perhaps there is no more opportune moment than Maulidur Rasul to acknowledge that even the smallest acts of kindness can leave behind an impact that extends far beyond the moment in which they were initially given. *Nahrizul Adib Kadri is a professor of biomedical engineering at the Faculty of Engineering, the Director of UM Press, and the Principal of Tuanku Bahiyah Residential College (KK2), Universiti Malaya.

He can be contacted at nahrizuladib@um.edu.my** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily reflect the views of Malay Mail.