8 Small Steps YOU can Take to Make a Difference in Our World

Most of us believe that we don’t have what it takes to make a difference in this world. We think that only people like Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Theresa, Albert Einstein or other visionaries are capable of making a change. But before these people were revered for their achievements, they were ordinary people too.
The truth is, every single person is born into this world and gifted with talents and abilities, allowing them to make a difference in their own unique way. So use what you have, but do it with the intention of ‘doing good’.
This is a topic that is close to my heart and this blog is an attempt at making my small contribution. I wish to spread a message of peace, happiness and harmony to as many people as possible. The following steps are my suggestions for the ordinary person to make an extraordinary difference to our world:

 

It does not have to be a big undertaking:

 

As I mentioned earlier, you were born with talents, and already have all you need to make this world a better place. Making a difference may seem like a huge and daunting task, but it is not up to you alone. In fact, it is a collective effort of many individuals with big hearts contributing in their own way.
So the size of your contribution is not important, rather your heart and intention is what matters most.

“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then just feed one.” ~ Mother Theresa

Start now:

 

There is no right time to start making a difference, the right time is now, or even better, yesterday. You don’t need to wait until you have enough time to share love, or enough money to share food. All it takes are little efforts and small contributions can start today!

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” ~ Anne Frank

No contribution is too small:

 

If you think that everything has already been done by someone else and that your contribution won’t do anything, then your mind-set is wrong. Just imagine what would happen if everyone thought like that – nothing, nothing would ever happen or change.
Realize that it is your responsibility to find ways to contribute, whether it is big or small. Don’t worry about the size of your contribution, because it is the effort that counts.

“Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something.” ~ Unknown Author

The greatest gifts you can give:

 

Happiness and love are the best gifts that you can share with the world. Generally, we are too consumed in our own gratifications and forget that there are people who will benefit from feeling more loved.
As we know, we must be willing to give before we can receive. So GIVE. Share happiness and love with the world and you will receive the same back. This reminds us that in order to receive happiness and love, we must first share it with the world.

“Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.” ~ Buddha

 

Empower others:

 

You really can change the world just by helping one person at a time. One way to do this is to empower someone. You can do this by giving praise and encouragement rather than criticism.
By being supportive through praise and encouragement, you can help someone accomplish more and be who they were meant to be. This in turn would add more value to our world.

“Abilities wither under criticism; they blossom under encouragement.” ~ Dale Carnegie

Try to make a long-term effect:

 

This goes hand in hand with empowering people. You can help them today but they will still need help tomorrow. If you help them today by giving them a way to help themselves, you will leave a lasting effect.
The difference we want to make will have a bigger and better impact if it is a long-term change rather than just a temporary fix.

“The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches but to reveal to him his own.” ~ Benjamin Disraeli

Stop complaining, rather do something:

 

Spending time complaining about what is wrong with the world, does not do anything to change it. This actually drains your energy to the point that you are unable to make a change. Choose to take action.
Use your time and energy wisely by being productive and engaging in meaningful activities. Taking action is the most important part of making a difference.

“If you have time to whine and complain about something then you have the time to do something about it.” ~ Anthony J. D’Angelo

Lead by example:

 

Besides doing things that improve the world, we should also actively try to influence others to do the same. The best way I know to do this, is to lead by example – all the best leaders do…
You can do this by doing whatever is in your ability and by showing love, respect and compassion for those around you. Whether this is making monthly donations to charities, or feeding homeless animals each act makes this world a better place. By putting in the effort, you increase the value of your output.

“A good example has twice the value of good advice.” ~ Unknown Author

Your effort counts, the size makes no difference. Nothing you do is insignificant, so just go out and do something with the best intentions possible!

Please comment or share any suggestions you have that can be added to this list? We all have the potential and ability to improve our world!