The world in the 21st century has been difficult to say the least. We all see things that need to change, and we all want to make a difference. Well, maybe not everyone. But if you are a regular reader I bet you are also a person who cares about the world and the creatures who live in it.
The question is how, when we are so overwhelmed with our own challenges. Breaking it down into manageable bites works with almost anything, including political and community activism. If you read through these four areas, each describing a way in which we interact with the world, you will find something that fits your approach and your resources. We can all do our part even if it seems small. It isn’t.
1. Political-finding and supporting good candidates. If your district is safe, why not help in the nearest swing district. Or run for office yourself? This also includes calling your representatives, and active protests. Calling a representative or emailing only takes a few minutes.
2. Intellectual-such as correcting misinformation when you see it, speaking to others about our cause of a just, free, and fair nation, writing about what you see, getting out information on “forbidden” subjects such as climate change, and giving support to the brave journalists out there working to publish truth. This also includes being a critical thinker yourself, by reading and thinking clearly. Research and understand the basic logical fallacies to better engage with others in honest debate.
3. Practical-such as starting a garden, or better yet a community garden, helping a kid, working on a community building project, or volunteering. When any branch of government is in the hands of evil men and women, the extreme local provides a vast opportunity to grow strong communities. If your town or city already has a good community, you can make it stronger. If it has none, you can help build it. And-if you live in a place that is openly hostile, build it anyhow, just disguise it as a non-threatening thing like a “knitting circle” or make it a church project.
4. Financial-which includes boycotting anything that will make malefactors richer. But it also includes giving—to defunded entities that are doing good work, and to those that are helping our most vulnerable. Good choices: Climate change organizations, women’s health, public arts, homeless support groups, food banks-the choices are endless. You might even give directly when the opportunity presents itself. Keep your eyes open and you will know when this is the right thing.
This is a time of extreme hardship for our most vulnerable people and ecosystems, but it is also a time for our best and brightest ideas and initiatives. We all have a unique style and different resources and talents. You can make the world a better place. When you want to help but don’t know how, choose one of these ideas and make a contribution that will produce ripples out in to your community and the world. If we all do one thing the results will be beyond our best hopes.