(Newswire.net — December 17, 2016) — The world is not always a kind and gentle place, and there are countless people suffering from injustice all around the globe. To make the world a better place, it’s critical to think about what you can do and take action to help. Below, you’ll find a list of concrete steps you can take to improve the lives of others.
Pay Attention to World Events
No matter where you live, it’s important to broaden your horizons and make an effort to be aware of other places in the world that are in need of help. For example, the war in Syria has been going on since 2011, but many Americans did not become aware of the atrocities to human rights until very recently. To combat this, go beyond your standard sources of news and actively seek out areas that need assistance. If possible, get involved with a local activist group to stay connected and updated on current events.
Donate At Every Opportunity
Whenever you have spare cash to share, a donation is always welcome to a large number of charitable organizations. Whether you choose to make a recurring payment to a single organization or you’d rather spread the love by donating to a different charity each month, any money that you’re able to spare will certainly make a difference. However, make sure to research diligently before donating. Of course, you want to be absolutely certain that the charity is legitimate before donating money. To start, browse this list for an overview of some of the highest and lowest rated charities.
Speak Up to Friends and Family
To truly change the world, you need to be brave. The simple act of speaking up can make a huge difference in the awareness of others. When you become aware of an issue that deserves attention, don’t pass by while looking the other direction. Use this opportunity to educate others close to you. It doesn’t have to be difficult to start a dialog with your friends and family; a simple Facebook or Twitter post will often suffice. When your friends and family become awakened to the suffering and injustice that people around the world face, you’ll start to build a coalition of people who can help.
Take Action in Government
If you live in the United States, how often have you called your state representatives? If the answer is zero times, now is the perfect time to vow that you’ll take action when you feel strongly about an issue. If you’re horrified that your state didn’t do more to welcome Syrian refugees, find the numbers for your representatives and place a phone call. A phone call only takes a few minutes, and you can have an even greater impact when you convince your friends, family, and co-workers to call. When enough people band together and organize a movement, change is just around the corner.
Become a Career Activist
If you’re a young person or you’re ready for a big career change, consider entering a career that has positive impacts on the lives of others. Luckily, there is no shortage of career options for you to consider. Whether you’d like to work for a human rights foundation like Thor Halvorssen or touch the lives of students by becoming a social justice professor, a career in social justice is rewarding and fulfilling.
Volunteer
What are you most passionate about? Think about what you truly care about for a moment, and let your passion guide you towards a volunteer organization. If you’d like to help children or the elderly, there’s most likely an organization in your area to volunteer with. Putting in hours to help others is one of the most concrete ways to make an immediate difference, and you’ll leave your volunteer hours knowing that you’ve done your part to improve society.
Run for Office
Many good-hearted, highly qualified Americans never consider running for office. However, this can be a great way to positively impact the lives of people in your city and beyond. Adequate representation in government is extremely important, and if you feel that you’d be able to put in the hard work to improve the lives of your fellow Americans, running for office could be a decision that you’ll be proud of. As an elected official, you could be able to create tangible progress towards a better life for thousands of people.
Every Action Counts
Remember that no matter what you do, any action is meaningful. If you’re too shy to make a big move like running for office or changing your career, donating money to an organization you feel strongly about is still a great step towards positive change. Spending just a few hours each month volunteering is also a wonderful start towards helping others both in and outside your community. Anything you can do to spread awareness has the potential to make a huge difference, so first and foremost, remember to use your voice instead of staying silent.