How To Support Our Beautiful World

February 7, 2023

It is a common sentiment to want to do what we can to help the world and make it a better place. When we think of people who have made this type of difference on a global scale, the big players in philanthropy and the thought leaders of the world come to mind.

I think in a lot of ways, that "big player" idea of having a knight in shining armour ride in on a white horse to save us has been severely tarnished in the last couple of years.

So, what about the rest of us helping the world? Can we do anything outside of picking up garbage and paying for the coffee of the people behind us in a drive-through lane?

Yes!

It starts first with a change in perspective.

I believe that the world is changed by doing the little things when no one is watching. You do it for no other reason than it is the right thing to do. You don’t do it for the sparkle or the shine. You don't do it for some ulterior financial motive. You just do it.

As John Wooden said, “The true test of a man’s character is what he does when no one is watching.”

How we operate our individual lives - those little things - is more important than someone riding in on a now not-so-white horse carrying their cheque book, while speaking on a megaphone, telling us what to do.

Your efforts may be what you consider small. But what you consider small might be a game changer to someone else. They may then be inspired to do something that brightens another.

Rinse and repeat.

Positive change would have to happen, yes?

The world would be supported, yes?

These small ways come to my mind that would make a positive difference in the world:

Volunteer

Do you have an hour or two a week to help somewhere or someone? I would try to pick something you have an interest in. Love dogs? Volunteer at the local rescue shelter and walk a dog or clean the pens. Like books? Try the library or a community learning center. Like playing cards? Try a senior facility that needs someone to do just that with its residents. Find something that needs help and jump in!

Support Small Business

It is easy to buy everything on Amazon. With a massive selection, I hear it is quick delivery right to your doorstep. Sounds good until you dive deeper. The Ma and Pa stores of the world sell their soul to put their product on Amazon. Put another way, Amazon takes a hefty percentage from their sales. You are essentially funnelling your hard-earned money into the coffers of the corporations of the world. Buying from smaller vendors directly means that you are supporting neighbourhood businesses and the communities they are from.

Travel

One of the most humbling things I have ever done has been to travel outside of my continent. I have had the privilege of travelling to 22 different countries during a five-year period before the world came to a grinding halt with restrictions. With travel, my growth as a person was exponential. There is something softening to the soul to learn about other cultures. Witnessing other humans exist in different parts of the world makes it very apparent that we are indeed all one on this globe. You learn humility and grace when you allow yourself to get immersed in the rest of the world. You realize that we need to be nice to each other.

Self Sufficiency

Don’t rely on corporations or the government. Remember you are ultimately the boss of you. Look for ways to grow and gather your own food. Look for ways to care for your health, both in the physical and mental/emotional realms. How does this make the world a better place? You are more in touch with yourself and the other creatures of the world this way. You are more in touch with the dirt, air and water. This all translates into being kinder to yourself and the world in which you spend your time while you are here in your body.

Be Joy

Strive to create what makes you happy and brings you joy. The vibe from this is one of the most desirable, and shareable, emotions that you can emit. Yes, there will be periods of anger, grief and sadness to negotiate. It all makes our life experience. Just keep moving forward, yearning to raise the vibration of the world.

Be Kind

Seems like an easy thing to do. Being kind can often be overlooked as we can let our own issues cloud how we treat others. When you interact with people, you can never be sure what is rumbling in their minds or rolling around in their hearts. Choose kindness in your interactions with everyone. This includes animals!

Don’t Be a Keyboard Warrior

If you wouldn’t say it to someone’s face, don’t type it. That piece of advice is for your interactions with people you know or to complete strangers. EVERYBODY. In my limited time on social media, I am still appalled by what people type in the comments section to people they don't know. I find to get away from that, I don't follow accounts that promote divisiveness. And I leave it to the owners of those accounts to moderate and remove rude people.

The common thread in positive change is to be a role model of kindness and compassion. Strive to be a steward of non-judgment and realize that the world actually doesn't revolve around you.

Let's do this!

Do you have any other ideas that could be added to help support our beautiful world and to make it a better place?