Ten things you can do to make the world a better place

Does the world need change?

Sure, it does and it’s going to take every single person to make that change. The good news is, however, that it’s easier than you think! Every loving, kind and decisive little (or big) act makes a huge difference.

Things you can do

Here are ten suggestions to help you make the world a better place:

1. Love, laugh and live to the best of your ability

To become an agent for change you first need to examine yourself. Only when you are at peace with yourself can you really start loving, laughing and truly living. “We can all contribute to making this world a safer, happier and more joyful place by living our lives to the best of our ability and leading by example”, says Umeshi Rajeendra.

2. Invest in the future of the children and the youth

It has been said that the children and youth of a country determine its future. That future can either be positive or very, very negative. You can make the world a better place by investing in your own and other people’s children and the youth of your country. Be prepared to love them, listen to them, help them and keep them safe.

3. Be kind to the elderly

The elderly are often the most ignored and forgotten sector of society. Practise random acts of kindness that show the elderly in your family and community you care about them. Leo Buscaglia reminds us that “too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”

4. Share your skills and talents

You can do it in a big way by volunteering your services in a formal teaching or coaching way or in a small way by just teaching someone you know, a new skill that you have already mastered. Many elderly people for example struggle with technology and would appreciate some patient “professional” help. Children on the other hand have a myriad of new skills they need to master. Young boys are especially in need of mature, male mentors to teach them “man” skills.

5. Build up, don’t tear down

In this world people rarely get more compliments than criticism. You can make the world a better place for them by doing the opposite. Encourage and compliment people, especially children, for every small thing they try to do well even if they don’t do it perfectly.

6. Be courteous

Promote human dignity and banish humiliation and disrespect wherever you go. Be polite, well-mannered, considerate, kind and tactful to everyone from the youngest to the oldest, poorest to the richest, despite creed or colour.

7. Smile and say “thank you”

Smile and say “thank you” wherever you are. “These are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along life’s pathway, the good they do is inconceivable”, says Joseph Addison.

8. Keep hope afloat

Hope can and will surface again and again, even after the most devastating disappointments and setbacks. Make the world a better place by spreading messages of hope to those who are desperate, lonely and forgotten and keep hope afloat wherever you can.

9. Support a cause or mission you truly care about

What do you have a soft spot for? What pulls at your heart strings every time you hear about it? Join that cause and make the world a better place.

10. Speak up

Speak up! Don’t keep silent when you see any form of wrongdoing. How many lives could have been saved had someone who knew just spoken up about the woman or child next door being abused, a child taking drugs or being bullied, etc? This may not always be the easiest or way to go but it’s definitely the better way for all concerned.

 

Sources

 

Lead SA: what can you do every day? Retrieved from: http://leadsa.co.za
Rajeendra, U. Ten easy ways to improve yourself and make the world a better place. Retrieved from; http://elitedaily.com
Ramphele, M. Rekindling the South African dream. Retrieved from: http://www.sahistory.org.za
Wax, D. Ten small ways to make the world a better place. Retrieved from: http://www.lifehack.org