One of the famous teachings of the great sage Rabbi Yehuda HaNassi, who was the one who compiled the Mishnah, is: "Reflect upon three things and you will not come to sin: Know what is above you--an Eye that sees, an Ear that hears, and all your deeds are recorded in a Book."
A deeper explanation of the above is that to reflect upon three things: the existence of G-d--who is Above; the all-seeing Eye and all-hearing Ear which makes us aware of Divine Providence--that G-d oversees everything; that everything is "written in the Book" which informs us that it is impossible that we will not be punished for any transgressions.
The Maggid of Mezritch rephrases just a few of Rabbi Yehuda's words and gives us the following inspiring comment. "Know that everything which is Above--is from you." Everything in this world is dependent on G-d Above. But in addition, teaches the Maggid, all the blessings that rain from Above are dependent on each individual's personal actions.
How can this be so? According to the Talmud, every person must consider the world as being totally balanced between good deeds and not good deeds. Through one deed a person can tip the scale to the side of good.
And if this equation is true for any deed, it is certainly even truer when it comes to deeds which foster love of our fellow-Jews and peace in the world at large. For, as our Sages have taught, the Torah was given to bring peace to the world--peace between one person and another and between the Creator and His creations.
The Rebbe reminded us numerous times of this concept that the world is in balance, particularly when speaking of the imminent arrival of Moshiach. Just as in general the world can be tipped to the side of good through one good deed, so, too, can the arrival of Moshiach be hastened and in fact actualized through one good deed.
Do a good deed today. It might just be the one which brings Moshiach!
