50 Simple Ways To Make The World A Better Place To Live

Dear friend,

Yesterday an old friend sent me a message on Facebook to ask me how he can make the world a better place to live. I responded briefly but, then, as I was going to bed, I kept thinking about that question. I decided to come here this morning and try to discuss this subject with you and share one article about this same subject.

I believe that there are many ways to help change the world and everyone is on this planet to make a difference, create a positive impact before returning where we all come from. When people talk about changing the world, some of them think about having a lot of money for big social projects, working in teams, having special powers or decision-making powers, etc.

What happens if no one comes around to help you? What happens if you don’t have any money? There are many little things you can do, things money can’t buy, and create a ripple effect to help make this planet a better place to live in.

This morning when I woke up, I stumbled on this article by Janine Ripper, 50 Small Ways to Help Make the World a Better Place, and would like to share it with you.

“Have you ever wondered how you can make the world a better place? 

Or have you ever stressed over not being able to make ENOUGH of a difference, and that you should be doing more?

Here’s a reminder that YOU matter and that it’s the small things that count.

Once upon a time I wanted to change the world.

I was so eager to make a difference, to help others, to make people happy, I felt like I just wasn’t doing enough. 

Constantly feeling inadequate and comparing myself to all the amazing change makers I was surrounded by (and they were and still are INCREDIBLE), I exhausted myself in comparisons and feelings of inadequacy and FOMO. Truth is I was a huge people pleaser, always putting others before myself and my family. But that’s a story for another day…

But truth was until I took care of myself I was no good to anyone. The world even.

And then I realised my mistake.

No disrespect to the big thinkers, thought leaders and game changers, but personally, I was aiming too high and had missed the point completely. 

Baby steps. Small changes. Daily moments of kindness. LITTLE things. Those are what mattered.

When I started focussing on myself, on being the most authentic and real person I could be. Someone who was healthy (both physically and mentally), doing what she loved with people she loved, and who wasn’t overdoing it by people-pleasing and being something she wasn’t – that was when I realized I could make a difference in the world in my own way.

Here’s 50 Small Ways You Can Help Make the World a Better Place

1. Donate your time, skills, or money to a cause
2. Create a bee and bird-friendly garden
3. Tell someone they did a good job. Better yet, tell their boss!
4. Don’t listen to, or participate in, gossip (on or offline)
5. Give gifts without the expectation of anything in return
6. Adopt a rescue pet
7. Cook someone a hearty meal, either in person or leave it on their doorstep
8. Decrease your ecological footprint
9. Ask someone how they are, and give them your full attention – practice active listening
10. Share your knowledge with someone
11. Declutter, reuse, recycle or donate
12. Smile and say hello to everyone you pass on the street
13. Travel respectfully
14. Please pick up your dog poop (my personal pet peeve!)
15. Give an elderly person some of your time – sit, talk, listen
16. Sprinkle kindness like it’s confetti
17. Share your own story of survival (because we’ve all fought our own battles that will strike a chord with someone else in the world). Here’s part of mine
18. Don’t litter
19. Treat everyone the way you would like to be treated. All of the time
20. Live mindfully
21. Donate blood or plasma
22. Listen without passing judgment
23. Express gratitude often. Personally, I like to make gratitude a habit!
24. Look after those you love and tell them that you love them often
25. Give up your seat to someone on the bus or train
26. Drive patiently. It’s not a race. And put away your phone. You don’t need it when you drive!
27. Allow someone else their time to shine
28. Learn more about other cultures, faiths, ideas, languages, people, history
29. Be more considerate of others, whether you know them or not
30. Mentor someone for free
31. Write someone a thank you note (it could even be anonymous!)

To learn more, go here

Isidore Goodfellow