This conversation is closed. Start a new conversation
or join one »
How can an ordinary person like me change the world? Give me your ten ideas to help me make the world a better place in 2012.
On the first day of 2012 I will begin a year long journey to do something every single day to make a difference, and the world a better place.
I can't do it alone. Please give me your top ten ideas of how to make the world a better place each day of 2012. It can be the small, yet significant acts that brighten someone's day, to the big stuff our dreams are made of!
I plan on documenting this challenge and will share it along the way. I hope to find unique, creative ideas to meet this task. Won't you help me? Brainstorm with me and share the things you think would make the world a better place. There is no idea too insignificant, or dream too big. What are the first ten things that come to your mind? Don't stop if you have more!
Debra Smith 200+
1) Pay if forward every chance you get.
2) Be polite - and not just when it is easy.
3) Care about someone or something. Speak your truths clearly but with compassion.
4) Love the people in your own sphere really well.
5) Say thank you especially to those who others seldom notice.
6) Be encouraging whenever you can - you never know when your words will help someone keep on keeping on.
7) Be brave when you see injustice.
8) Stay hopeful by reading about or witnessing all the good people who are trying to make a difference. Hope is contageous.
9) Pitch in. When you see someone trying hard or making an effort- add your own energy to the endeavour.
0) Keep your promises - especially when it is hard because that is when they really count.
Laurens Rademakers 50+
My top ten ideas, so that you get rid of that very problematic feeling of "let me change the world!!!" and to get aware of where do-gooders really belong in the ideological spectrum:
1. Watch a video of Slavoj Zizek (for example this one: "What does it mean to be a revolutionary today?" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GD69Cc20rw
The 9 other ideas also have to do with this philosopher. You can read a book, go to a conference, whatever. For those who "want to change the world!!!", the best first step is to get some ideas on what that really means and where the idea comes from.
sanjay SHAH
2. Spread awareness about healthy food.
3. Make at least 5 people smile everyday.
Anne Dagen 10+
Keep your music at a level where it's not audible to others
Rehome an abandoned cat or dog
Provide food and water for the birds in winter
Become a guerilla gardener and renovate some derelict ground so it can be enjoyed
Choose food with low food miles
Hold doors open for people
Support local shops
Start up a local activity group - walking, dance, music, tai chi, sport, whatever fits your interests
Mind you, several of these would require sustained effort, not just a one-off, but the same's true of making the world a better place.
Muhammad Aizat Zainal Alam 30+
Carol A.
Carol A.
1.Smile, even if they don't smile back.
2. See the positive in any given situation and use it to disfuse the negative if possible.
3.If you're having a bad day, don't take it out on anyone. I hate it when people do this.
4.Listen.
5.Look where you can serve, not be served.
6.If you have nothing good to say, keep it to yourself.
7.Forgive.
8.A kind word or an honest compliment goes a long way. It may even make someones day.
9. If you love some one, tell them every chance you can.
10.Pray.
James van der Walt
1) I agree with what is said already. You must love yourself. If you cannot do that you can never fully love another.
2) You might not have the power to change the world alone but you do have the power to find those that can. Be the catalyst of change. There are so many more that's sitting on the fence. Some never even considered making a difference. Others are like you waiting for an opportunity. Go and look for them. Go to local charities and TED conventions etc. Meet the community. They can give you more direction.
3) And TALK! Talk to everyone you meet. Tell them how you plan to save the world. Do it with passion. Talk of hope and not despair. Be positive and not negative. Let you enthusiasm inspire other into action.
Larry Holmgren
"You are the world", meaning your mind contains all the human world, all the conflict, the hope and desire, the ambition, the potential, the love, the hate, the ignorance.
Know thyself: "You can learn about yourself in the mirror of relationship." --- J. Krishnamurti (1896-1986).
In the strategy board game Go, the empty board represents freedom of choice. The way you play reflects your own self, if you are jealous or greedy, if you have no plans or no strategy, if you don't know what you are doing, etc.
Study: "At 15 I was directed to study, at 30 I knew where to stand." --- Confucius.
Smiling: "Heep 's the name, grinning 's the game." --- Charles Dickens in his novel, Uriah Heep.
James Turner 10+
1. Change yourself inside to a be a better person than you think you are?
2. Smile a lot at everything
3. Strive for internal peace regardless of outside circumstances
4. Literally say a blessing for each person you meet after you have done talking with them. An example is to say to yourself. " I bless ___________ with peace"
5. Ask questions of others before you talk about yourself.
6. When you have run out of things to do just stop and experience the world around you with an open mind and heart. No analysis, no power trips, no naming just pure silent experience.
7. Send some one a card you made or bought. So much email is lacking the human touch.
8. Pick a random person from the phone book and send them a card with out your address or name on it and encourage them to do the same.
9. Help out a teacher with kindergarten kids for a morning Not a school your kids are in
10. Write to an elected official and tell them one or two things that you appreciate about what they have done.
11. Send a birthday card to your queen or one of the royal family with a blessing inside.
12. Next time you pass a bobby or fire person stop and say thank you for all you do and then just smile and move on.
13. Wake up early and make coffee for your neighbor (check if they drink coffee first) and give them a home made goody.
14. Pet a dog, stroke a cat, whistle to a bird, touch your forehead to that of a horse, pat a cow, sing to a rose.
15. Just go crazy for a while and enjoy life.
16. Call your doctor's office and say thank you to the nurses even if you do not have an appointment.
17. Take a bag of jelly beans to the local Emergency Room for no reason and share it with them.
I try to do one of these things every day. If I do not do one I just try again tomorrow.These are small things but if we each do small things the big things will take care of themselves
James van der Walt
Kindergarten and neighbourly thing is also a little much.
But I get where you going with it. Be positive and me happy. The mean of life is to be happy after all.