thethirtydayyear.com

10 Ways You Can Improve The World Today!

April 16th, 2008 | by Jeniffer |

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”–Anne Frank

Each of us has the power to improve the world.

We may not have the political clout necessary to end wars and bring about world peace single handedly, but we can promote that peace, encourage goodwill, and strive for understanding of one another.

We have that power.

We also have the power necessary to clean up our planet, to reduce the waste strewn about the globe, and lessen the damage of chemicals we use in our daily lives.

I have heard it said that in order to change the world, you must become the change that you desire.

So if you desire peace, live peacefully; if you desire an end to poverty, work toward ending that poverty where you are. Become the change that you desire.

Perhaps your vision for improving the world is not as grandiose as all that–perhaps it is just for where you are, right now.

And that is OK.

When we change where we are, when we work to improve the lives of ourselves and our neighbors, we are fostering change. It will grow, using the ripple effect, to affect the lives and living of others further from us than any of us may know.

One small step, indeed.

Here, then, are ten small things you can do, now, to promote change in the world in which we live…

1) It’s Springtime, which means that the melting of the snow has revealed the mess that lies beneath it.

Messy yards, garbage-strewn sidewalks.

Why not take  a small step now, and choose an area to clean up?

In front of your home, a park nearby, wherever you choose to do so, you can make an immediate difference in your part of the world with this one simple action.

Then spread the word to do so to others.

Think what would happen, if just ten people did this near you, then twenty, then thirty?

It would go on, and on, until we would have a clean world.

Spread the word.

2) Smile.

Too many people walk around with a scowl on their face.

Why not smile, and share the warmth and sunshine that lies within, with what lies without?

Before you know it, others will be smiling back at you.

You will have made a difference in your world.

3) Say, “thank you”.

Be courteous.

Say thank you when someone does a good deed for you.

And pass that good deed on to others.

Then they’ll pass it on.

And they’ll pass it on.

And so on…

4) Be sure to say “thank you” as well, for all the daily gifts of your life.

It will turn your entire outlook around for the better, perhaps infecting those around you as well.

Changing this one aspect of yourself, can go a long way to changing the world.

Just give it a try for thirty days, and see.

5) Call a friend.

Maybe someone you talk to every day.

Maybe someone you haven’t spoken to for a long while.

Or both.

It will make their day!

And suggest  they pass it on, fostering good will, spreading thoughtfulness out from your small part of the world.

The ripple affect in action!

6) Walk instead of driving whenever possible.

It’s not only environmentally friendly, but good for your body as well.

And it will give you the opportunity to see what else needs improving, in your small part of the world.

Why not double the benefits, and invite a friend!

7) If you have a further destination, why not take public transportation?

This lessens the impact on the environment, while giving you the opportunity to notice what needs changing a little farther from home.

8 ) Recycle everything.

From using both sides of a piece of paper, to recycling via blue boxes, grey boxes, and green bins, use the systems that are available to the absolute maximum that you are able.

Be a good example to those who live around you, encouraging them to do the same.

The world will thank you for it!

9) Laugh.

It really is the best medicine, and it’s as contageous as the hiccoughs!

10) Practice positive thinking.

Changing your view of the world begins with changing your thoughts of the world.

Make a real effort to focus on the positive, and watch your life improve!

Have a relevant comment or experience? Why not share? Comments, suggestions, and stories are always most welcome!