Wednesday, December 19, 2012

How To Make A Difference In The World By Doing Small Things

By Brandi Little


Few things are quite as depressing as listening or reading the news. There is so much violence and suffering that you may want to switch off and never leave your house again. However, everybody has the power to make this planet a better place. If you're wondering how to make a difference in the world, there are some basic things you can do.

You don't have to be a great leader or give up your life to go work in the slums of Calcutta to make the world a better place. For every Mother Teresa there are thousands of ordinary people who quietly go about doing something small that has a huge impact on others. You may think that what you're doing is too small to really mean anything, but if everybody does something small, it adds up like drops that form a great ocean. In time you may even find that you're doing bigger and bigger things.

One of the easiest ways to effect change is through small, simple acts of kindness. Try do perform one every day. It won't cost you a cent, maybe only a minute of your time, but it will mean a lot to someone else. It could be something as simple as picking up the object someone else has dropped and handing it back to them with a smile.

Many people have jobs that have a positive impact. Their task is often thankless and exhausting, however. You can help them by doing volunteer work, even if it's just for one hour a week. Often you may find that you can do something that the people at the project or organization hadn't even thought of, for example taking the dogs at the animal shelter for a walk.

It isn't hard to find a volunteer project. Simply search online or ask around in your community. Even while you're on holiday you'll find a way to volunteer. There are special travel packages for volunteering in different parts of the world, so that you can see a new place and make a difference at the same time.

Projects like those that use volunteers are often cash-strapped and some even have to close down because they can't pay the bills. Instead of throwing away your clothes from last season or that computer that still works perfectly fine but isn't quite as up-to-date as your new one, donate them. Also donate money if you can. What is a small amount for you can buy a meal for a hungry child somewhere in the world.

If you know about an injustice somewhere, speak out about it. Create awareness so that others can get involved too. However, don't simply talk. Take action too. One way to stop an atrocity like child labor is to simply boycott companies that use children to manufacture their products. You'll be amazed at how much power you have as a consumer.

Becoming involved will help you realize that everything is connected. How to make a difference in the world becomes much easier if you remember that you are not alone. If you respect others and show compassion for them, they will do the same for you.




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