You often read and hear about people who want to make the world a better place. This does not mean that the world is not a beautiful place, on the contrary. Mother Earth is wonderful. But we can do a lot to make it even better. And like my fellow do-gooders, I keep thinking of how I can contribute to making the earth what everyone wants: a peaceful and beautiful place where everyone likes to live and develop.
Here are my personal 11 tips on how we can send out positive vibes and create a world worth living in. We are all connected and if we make our fellow humans and creatures happy, we automatically increase our own happiness. I hope I can inspire you to make the world a more loving place.
1. Nature cleanup
Nature is not just part of the place where we live. It is a gigantic network of living beings that want to live and deserve a beautiful life just like us. I feel extremely connected to nature and feel it as our highest good, our temple, our home. Unfortunately, not all people seem so conscious when dealing with this fabulous creation. Again and again you can find garbage in the woods, on the beach and everywhere else in nature. I've heard several times how people complain about it. But no one acts. Why not? Is it not the responsibility of us all to ensure that the forests and other natural habitats are spared from our consumption and lifestyle and that we leave no traces? If everyone just complains but does not act because it's not their own trash, we can wait a long time for something to change. In the worst case, living things in the meantime suffer from environmental pollution. Birds swallow cigarette filters, fish swallow plastic waste, and deer injure because of broken glass. One day, I decided not to just accept it and shirk responsibility. I always take a bag with me on my walks and collect some garbage on my way in the woods and on the beaches and then pour the content of my bag in a trash can. Sure, sometimes people look at me irritated or disgusted, but I do not care. I don't do that for praise, I do that for nature, and it thanks me with its wonderful atmosphere and the tranquility that I can find in it as I roam the woods. Give it a try, it would really please me and our fellow creatures! :)
2. Stop bitching about people and be authentic
Unfortunately today it is normal to constantly bitch about others. As soon as we discover something that does not conform to our ideology or our aesthetics, we often express this in a hurtful way. What many people forget: they also rub some people up the wrong way, do not fit in with their ideology. Yet everyone wants to be accepted as he or she is. So why ask something from others that we can not offer ourselves? Besides, we also hurt ourselves when we hurt others. As Mahatma Gandhi said: "You and me: we are one. I can not hurt you without hurting myself. "Everything we do will sooner or later come back to us in some way. If we talk bad about others, why should others talk in a good way about us? The same applies to being authentic. When we express ourselves freely and unadulterated, we automatically give others the permission to do so as well. For example, if we all clothe ourselves “how society wants us to” for fear of attracting attention in a negative way, then it becomes commonplace to dress with reserve. If you'd rather wear a neon dress or a steampunk coat instead of jeans and a t-shirt, dare! Maybe some people look at you in a strange way, but that's just their insecurity because special appearances are (still) unfamiliar. However, the more people dress the way they feel authentic and comfortable, the easier it will be for their fellow human beings to stand by themselves. I'm often looked at irritated in my "hippie clothes" but I don't care, because if I walked around normally, they would find another reason to gossip. And being true to myself has a great effect: there are often people coming to me, who tell me that they like my courage to wear whatever I want. Other eye-catching "white rabbits" often give me a smile or talk to me. As soon as you show yourself authentic to the outside, you attract incredibly great moments and encounters.
3. Take your time to listen to street musicians or watch street artists
We probably all know that situation: in the city, a street musician plays beautiful music or an artist creates breathtaking works. But we just walk by or, if we're generous, throw some change in the bowl on the floor. Just take a moment and listen to the music or watch the artist. You can escape the bustle for a moment and the musician or artist will probably be delighted by your attention. All of a sudden, your donation is no longer just charity, but an attentive and thankful gesture for a great experience that was offered to you. Put yourself in the shoes of the musician for a moment and feel what it's like when everyone just walks by and puts some money into your bowl. Feels sad, right? Even if you are happy about the money, of course. I have often experienced grateful musicians and artists when I really paid my attention to them. I even had inspiring conversations with some of them, too. And honestly, if we have time to go shopping, we also have a few minutes for our fellow human beings, right?
4. Gift people around you with a friendly “hello” and a smile
Even if no positive reaction comes back to you: For many people it means a lot if you give them a friendly greeting and a smile. Because those who are most grumpy, they often need it the most. And a warm and honest "hello" and a smile should come from conviction anyway and not to get something back. Be a good person, bring positive vibes into the world. If you do not get a positive response immediately, it will come elsewhere.
5. Tidy out and comp the things you don't need anymore
By doing so you do not just free yourself from old ballast, but may make others a great joy!
6. Make compliments
We often tend to mainly address the things that bother us. But (honest) compliments do our heart good and motivate us.
The cashier is always friendly and does her job well? Tell her, it will sure please her very much!
The bus driver drives very safe? Praise him for his good driving style!
Your friend is very honest and reliable? Tell him/her that you really appreciate that!
7. Do foodsharing
Every day, so much food is thrown away worldwide that it really hurts my soul. That does not have to be! We all buy too much or something wrong sometimes. Instead of just throwing away those precious foods, you can do foodsharing! In many cities there are groups or collection points for donated food. If not, you can always find grateful people through small ads or social networks, and maybe even exchange them for other delicious foods they don't need anymore. No waste and a lot of replete and happy human beings. Wonderful, right? :)
8. Feed some animals
Because of us, the habitats for animals are increasingly disappearing. And so do their food sources. Put a bowl of water and one with grains on the balcony. The birds will thank you and you can watch those little beautiful creatures.
But also stray animals are very happy about food and water. In our neighborhood lives a left behind cat. At night she is allowed to sleep with a neighbor, but we feed her all. There is a bowl ready for everyone to put something in. And little Stella is happy!
9. Show your gratitude
You often have visitors and it is loud until late in the evening? Just ring your neighbor and thank him for his tolerance. Bring him some selfmade cookies, he'll be happy!
A colleague often helps you and supports you? Give her a nice plant for her desk and thank her for her support.
There are many situations in which we can and should show our gratitude. Because appreciating the kindness of our fellow human beings is the best reward for many and will make them very happy!
10. Think about your fellow human beings
You do not believe how much your fellow human beings are happy, if you think about them! "Sharing is caring" is a very good saying in my opinion :)
Construction workers work in the heat outside your apartment? Just bring them some water, they'll appreciate it a lot.
A homeless man sits on the roadside? Just buy two coffees and pastries at the bakery and have lunch with him. I have done this many times, no matter what people think. And it can mean the world to the homeless person!
A craftsman comes to you and fixes something? Offer him something to drink or eat. I have experienced that they are very touched by this gesture.
11. Share your skills with others
You can speak a language very well and a friend would like to speak it as well? Just teach him and let him teach you something else. So you can both learn from each other, have a lot of fun and strengthen your bond. Win-win situation, right?
Bringing more compassion and positivity into the world can be so easy. And however small the step may be, its impact can be so big. Just think about a stone that you throw into a lake and all the ring shaped waves spreading.
I would be happy, if you become a hero of everyday life and try some of the tips. Do you have any other great ideas on how to improve the world together? Great! Then please share them with us in the comments! I am very curious on how you make the world a better place! :)
Peace and love,
yours Linda
P.S.: All the pictures used in this post are taken from the website www.pixabay.com