The power of small acts

Your weekly breath of fresh air

my intimate diary…
As I sit in a café, gazing out the window, I’m writing this newsletter. The sky is a soft blue, with clouds like fluffy little sheep. The trees are slowly shifting from green to brown, signaling the quiet approach of fall. Outside, people stroll by, smiling and greeting one another. There’s a sense of happiness in the air. Shop owners and employees are bustling—long lines of customers stretch out, but no one seems to mind. Conversations flow easily, and the atmosphere feels light.
A gentle tap on my shoulder interrupts my thoughts, and I turn to see my neighbor. We exchange greetings, and she invites me to dinner at her place later. She’s hosting some of our building’s residents, and it sounds like a lovely way to end the day.
Before heading to her place, I stop by the local flower shop. I wait in line, admiring the fresh blooms. The shop owner is a beloved figure in the neighborhood, known for her warm heart and willingness to listen. She’s more than a florist—she’s like the neighborhood counselor. I pick out a bouquet, then make a quick stop at the bakery to pick up a cake. It’s made with seasonal fruits, organic flour, fresh milk, and grass-fed butter—the baker takes pride in his craft, and you can taste the passion in every bite.
On my way home, I run into the garbage collector. He tells me his daughter just got promoted, and I congratulate him, offering the flowers I’d just bought as a gift for her. His smile says everything.
When I finally arrive at the dinner party, I’m greeted by familiar faces from our building. We share a delicious meal and, afterward, gather around the TV to watch the news. We feel fortunate to live in such a wonderful city, supported by leaders who truly care about our community.
So, only the first two sentences are real. The rest, I imagined. But this is the kind of scenario I’ve been daydreaming about—a vision of what true “community wellbeing” could look like. This week, the idea has been on my mind a lot. Community wellbeing is the intersection of spiritual, social, economic, environmental, cultural, and political conditions that individuals and their communities recognize as essential for flourishing and reaching their full potential. I’ve begun to realize that achieving personal wellness on its own isn’t enough to truly thrive. It has to extend beyond me, into the community I belong to. When the collective is well, individual wellness feels more complete, more meaningful.
In conclusion, this is my wish for our ONA community. I hope that, with the help of each one of us, we can begin to create this kind of community wellbeing ecosystem, wherever we are. It may start small, with a kind gesture or a shared meal, but over time, it can grow into something larger—an environment where everyone thrives together. By supporting and caring for one another, we can build a place where both individuals and the community flourish in harmony.

This week’s journey towards becoming the io-leader through the ONA method.

ORGANIZE
STRENGTH the power of habits
EMOTION positivity
ESSENCE provide help without expectation
DEVELOPMENT patience

NOURISH
SPIRIT “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her.“ Luke 1:45
MIND “Most geniuses - especially those who lead others- prosper not by deconstructing intricate complexities but by exploiting unrecognized simplicities.“ - Andy Benoit
BODY The power of disconnecting

AUTHENTICITY
I began exploring the idea of community wellbeing after listening a talk by Lee In-Jae, Chairman of the Korea Local Finance Association, about three weeks ago. He introduced the concept of social capital and the Country Prosperity Index, which really sparked my interest. This Tuesday, I had the honor of being invited by him to the Association’s 60th-anniversary celebration, titled: “60 Years Together, Next 100 Years Leaping into the Global.”
I feel incredibly privileged to know and learn from him. His leadership style is truly unique—he’s remarkably open-minded, an attentive listener, and radiates warmth. You can sense his kindness from a distance, especially through his beaming smile. He’s a true io leader, with a voice that can move crowds. I believe his strength lies in his authenticity—he leads from a place of pure sincerity, and people like him are rare.
As I reflect on the future of South Korea, especially 100 years from now, I feel reassured. Under his legacy, I’m confident that Korea’s societal wellbeing will continue to flourish. Chairman Lee’s words: “We will become a leading organization pursuing satisfaction of local communities and residents, by fulfilling social responsibilities as a non-profit corporation based on ESG policy. We will step forward as a global local finance-specialized organization advancing regional management, with the cooperation of local governments”.
I feel so positive about the future :)

p.s. Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.

I hope you can lead authentically and inspire profoundly, have a great week!

Best,

Stephanie.