People underestimate the power of kindness. Everyone believes they have to do something grand in order to change the world. Let me tell you that changing just one life is more than enough, even if that life is yours. A simple smile can brighten someone’s day, and a short conversation can save someone’s life. The thing we need most in this world is kindness. As humans, we constantly deal with situations that affect our mental health. Sometimes you just need some words of encouragement to keep going. Never underestimate how simple actions can make a significant impact.
Last year I wrote a post about a meltdown I had one day in my car because a stranger showed me basic kindness. I had been dealing with a lot of toxicity in my life at that point, and someone just being kind to me, touched my heart in a way I will never forget.
When you ask yourself what you have to offer the world, it becomes a transactional or exchange-oriented mindset and can lead to you misunderstanding your own value. You don’t have to offer anything to the world other than being yourself. A million people out in the world would benefit from simply knowing you and talking to you. You can give people honesty, respect, your experience, your passion. All of these things are innately you. For example, sharing your passion with others can inspire them to find their own passion. By being yourself and doing what you love, you can motivate others to do the same.
You also need to look at your actions as compounding. Small steps lead to massive change. A friendly word to a stranger said once might make a huge difference, like it did for me. If you make it a habit to say something nice to three people you meet every day, those actions compound, and they can make a massive difference over time.
If you want to make a difference in the world, here are five small actions you can take to make the world a better place.
Compliment Friends and Strangers
Compliments make people happy and improve their mood throughout the day. You will be making people feel good, sometimes when they need it most, but you’ll also get better at speaking to strangers and improving your social skills.
Shop Wisely
Choose local businesses, women-owned businesses, and minority-owned businesses when possible. You will be supporting real people who are pursuing their dreams instead of large corporations.
Get To Know Your Neighbors
Nowadays, it’s becoming rarer and rarer that people know their neighbors. In America, it’s only about 20% of people who do. Getting friendly with the people you live close to can improve your neighborhood and brighten your life and the lives of those around you.
Build A Garden
Building a garden in your yard can do wonderful things for the bees and birds in your area. It also cleans the soil and the air. Plus, being outside in nature will boost your mood, so you can share that with others. When I was a kid, we had a huge garden. And I was often tasked with bringing fresh produce to our neighbors. They were always so grateful that we would share with them.
Seek Volunteer Opportunities
If you want to feel like you’re making a difference, consider seeking volunteer opportunities in your local area. Being a part of a community cook-out to feed the homeless can feel great and do a lot of good. If you feel more comfortable volunteering online, you can check out Crisis Text Line. I volunteered with them for quite some time, and I can promise you that we made a difference in people’s lives every day.
