Do you wonder why you exist? Yearn for a purpose? Struggle with how to make the world a better place?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It starts with little things. But if all of us did the little\nthings, we could have a big impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are some suggestions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pick up trash when you take a walk. It\u2019s something I noticed\nmy dad doing when I was growing up. It simply involves bending down, putting\nyour fingers around a piece of litter, and transporting it to a trash can (or a\nbag if you are carrying one for that purpose). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Encourage your political representatives to support\nenvironmental causes and efforts to combat climate change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Avoid pesticides that are bad for the water, the soil, the\nair, or the bees. Yes, bees\u2014and other pollinators of our food. Biodiversity\u2014the\nvariety of plants, animals, and life in an ecosystem\u2014is important to protect\nour future\nfood supply<\/a>. Right now, a\nmillion species are at risk of extinction<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many worthy causes\u2014locally, nationally, and\ninternationally. Choose one. Check out Charity Navigator<\/a> if you want to\nassess the charity prior to donating money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is always a need\nfor blood<\/a>\u2014especially if you are O+. Contact the Red\nCross<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Register to be an organ donor. It takes just a few moments\nto sign up<\/a>, and\nyou can do it online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Donate good-quality used items to local thrift shops. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Yes, we live in an increasingly polarized society. And I\nadmit it\u2019s hard to listen to someone who views the world from a different\nplanet. But it\u2019s good to try. Respect the person, even if you don\u2019t agree with\ntheir beliefs. My former yoga teacher shared the following poem that captures\nthe essence this concept.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Listen without defending<\/p> Speak without offending<\/p> Love without depending<\/p> Live without pretending<\/p> <\/p> Marjaneh Ghanian <\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n I know everyone offers \u201clittle white lies\u201d to spare another\u2019s\nfeelings occasionally. But we need to tell the truth and hear the truth to\ncreate a better world for the future. This is a little thing that is TRULY a\nbig thing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Never underestimate the long-term, ongoing value of truth\nfor society. Lying destroys trust, a vital component of relationships, economic\ntransactions, and societal well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Buy wisely. Don\u2019t patronize businesses that exploit people,\nanimals, or the environment. Consider\nthe company\u2019s actions and mission statements. Do they promote just causes? Are\nthey contributing positively to society (beyond improving stock prices)?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pay attention to the source of your food, with an eye toward\nlocal and fair trade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What is fair trade? According to Wikipedia,<\/a> it is an\narrangement to reduce exploitation of producers (often growers of products like\ncoffee) in developing countries. It provides them a living wage and improved\nsocial and environmental standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While the\nconcept of fair-trade<\/a> has been abused by some companies\u2014thereby creating\nthe perception it\u2019s marketing\nmalarkey<\/a>\u2014the fundamental principles are beneficial. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The definition of conservation is \u201cprevention of injury, decay,\nwaste, or loss; preservation.\u201d (And as an aside, conservation and conservative\nhave the same word origin. Just thought I\u2019d mention this as an interesting\nfactoid.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Save water by turning off the faucet while brushing your\nteeth. Don\u2019t water your lawn if you can avoid it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Be consistent in your recycling efforts. Live by the old\nmotto: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Compost<\/a>\nyour excess organic waste to use as a natural fertilizer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t waste food. Try to place on your plate only what you\u2019ll\neat. And do your best to use up left-overs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Children are our future. Help them by tutoring, volunteering\nat local schools, or giving teachers a hand. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Build new skills for yourself in terms of lifelong learning,\nand encourage others to do so. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Support\nyour local library.<\/a> Even if you are unable to provide financial\ncontributions, take advantage of the opportunities to learn by attending\nprograms and events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n People feel a stronger sense of community when they know\nthose who live around them. Invite a neighbor over for coffee. Offer to mow their\nlawn if you see they are struggling. Strike up an occasional conversation. Be kind<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vote\u2014it\u2019s both a right and a responsibility. According to FairVote<\/a>, \u201cvoter turnout in the U.S. is\nmuch lower than most established democracies.\u201d Barely half of eligible voters participate in\npresidential elections, and it\u2019s even lower for midterms. People used to say, \u201cyou\nget what you pay for.\u201d It\u2019s also true that you get what your vote (or don\u2019t\nvote) for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t just read this list. Make a commitment to yourself to DO something. Let\u2019s all<\/strong> help make this world a better place.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n For more in-depth ideas, refer to these additional articles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n New York Times: How\nto Make the World a Better Place<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nVolunteer (time,\nmoney, blood)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Listen with BOTH ears<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Tell the truth<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Support your values\nwith your purchases<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Avoid waste<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Sustain education<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Meet your neighbors<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Be civically engaged<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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