Improve the World: See a Need and Meet It
Are you making the world a better place?
When you contemplate the needs of the world it is easy to start thinking about faraway places. Yes, there is hunger and drought on other continents, but what are you doing right where you are at to improve the world?
Sadly, most of us do very little. We coast through our daily lives on auto-pilot failing to stop and make a difference. It really doesn’t take that much time, energy or money to improve the world. Let me share with you a technique I think might help.
It is Simple to Start Improving the World
Real improvement is accomplished through small, individual acts of kindness and charity. A home is built one brick at a time. At first, it doesn’t look like much, but with a little time it starts to take shape.
A better world begins with individuals. All we have to do is see a need and meet it.
It doesn’t have to be anymore complicated than that. Imagine how much better your community would be if more people lived this way. What would happen if each of us did what we could?
Most people react by saying, “I don’t know what I could do.” Well, start by being more observant. Opportunities will present themselves, trust me.
Here are a Few Ideas for How You Can Help
Again, this is very easy and simple. It is almost too simple and therefore gets dismissed. All you have to do is see a need and meet it.
Some might call it random acts of kindness, but it isn’t random at all if it is done intentionally. Make it a point to be on the look out for your chance to help someone.
Tomorrow you might be in line at the grocery store and the person in front of you might be a little short paying their bill. Make up the difference for them.
Your neighbor’s yard might need to be mowed. Why not cut their grass for them?
On your way home from work today, you might see someone broke down on the side of the road. Stop and offer to help, give them a ride or at least let them use your cell phone to make a call.
I can hear the fear junkies out there saying, “But, what if they knock me over the head or rob me when I stop to help them?” Well, safety is a concern, but I think this type of thing is a lot more rare than we think. It is just very well publicized by the news media when it happens.
If we cut ourselves off out of fear, what is the world going to become? Is it someone else’s job to make the world a better place? I don’t think so.
It is our job to see a need and meet it. These small efforts can make a big difference!
How We Can Extend This Even Further
The genesis of making the world a better place is making your home, workplace and community better. We all have influence in these environments.
Again, we can see a need and meet it instead of thinking things like, “That’s not my job.” or “Why should I do that?” or “What have they done for me lately?”
This tit-for-tat thinking will get you nowhere. It is selfish and counterproductive. The best way to get what you want in life is to give others what they want. Serve them! See a need and meet it!
Let’s briefly consider each area:
1. Meeting Needs in Your Home
We live with the people we love the most, but these are also the very people that we often fail to serve most frequently. Would an outside observer be able to tell from your actions today that you love your spouse deeply? Don’t wait to be asked or told what needs to be done or what your spouse would like done for them! See a need and meet it!
2. Meeting Needs in Your Workplace
People that demonstrate initiative and creativity at work are the ones that get raises and promotions. Companies want people that take care of business and make them better. Are you one of these people or do you simply put in your time waiting for the weekend? Open your eyes and see the opportunities all around you to contribute in a meaningful way!
3. Meeting Needs in Your Community
What are the greatest needs in your community? We all benefit when our communities improve. Homes appreciate, employers move in and crime drops as things get better. Don’t sit back thinking the government or some charity is responsible for all the work. We are the government! We are the charities! See a need and meet it!
Improve the World by Meeting One Need at a Time
I’ve said before that we reap what we sow. Someday you might have an unmet need and if you’ve been helping others along the way then you’ll be amazed at the assistance you find at your side. What goes around truly does come around. So, I’ll encourage you again to see a need and meet it!
Photo by Ed Yourdon
Jeff,
Good suggestions! There is always someone else who needs more than myself, I find and that gives me reason to help out. Good tips for bad times like now.
Zengirl´s last blog ..13 ways to be compassionate
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