The first step to creating lasting change is to look where it hurts. We can do this by exposing ourselves to things that may make us feel uncomfortable. To be able to spark change, we first have to become aware of that suffering. We all want to be loved and acknowledged. Can you imagine what that does to your heart and spirit if no one sees you? Keep your eyes on the lookout for those who need help.
After exposing yourself to the issues, the next step is to apply all that you’ve learned. It may sound vague, but it doesn’t have to be that big of a grand gesture. It starts at home, with our circles, our conversations. This may mean that it’s time to start having uncomfortable conversations with those closest to us and making friends with people who don’t look exactly like us. While the thought of causing a stir can be a little daunting, use that discomfort to your advantage. It might be that you find like-minded individuals who also care about making a difference.
Rather than focusing on how we can fix the entire problem, we can focus on small things to help. Look at our society’s problems in the sense of a potluck. If everyone brings a dish, we can have a feast. Take homelessness, for example, a social issue of great magnitude. To implement social good daily, we should carry water bottles, granola bars, or five-dollar bills. That way, every time we see someone who might need it, we might make that person’s entire day. We never know who we’re going to encounter, but we can give them something they might need. Sure, it might not be a grand gesture, but imagine if everyone had the same thought process—those little acts indeed add up. Instead, we might want to connect with nonprofit organizations and figure out their simple daily needs. What can we do to help causes and organizations today? It may be simple, but hundreds of those small acts could ultimately create lasting change. No one can fix the problem by themselves, but we can improve our corner of the world. If you implement just a little bit of work into our daily life, it may very well become part of our lifestyle—and hopefully, our culture, every little bit counts.