Small sacrifices to make the world a better place - Amendo (2024)

The world can be a scary place. I feel that I amoverwhelmed by negative newsand stories of suffering in our society and powerlessness to improve anything. I'm stuck thinking that the only way I can make a difference is if I quit my job and dedicate my life to something heroic, like recycling all the plastic in the ocean or finding a way to create peace between all countries to negotiate. But those ideas are so grand (and honestly not that sustainable) and they make me a little seasick. I'm not the best at breaking up fights either - just ask my brothers and sister...#potstirrer). So I get discouraged and end up doing nothing. But this year I decided to approach giving back the way I approach the rest of my life: by taking small steps. I know I can't save the whole world, but I can try to improve the lives of those around me by making these small sacrifices.

Delay instant gratification

We live in a world that constantly demands our attention. Our phones are buzzing, our computers are pinging, and it can be so satisfying to figure out what's going on right away that we ignore the people right in front of us. When we do that, we make others feel unimportant, "less than," and as if what's happening on our phone is more interesting than themselves, even if it's just a coupon to buy fly fishing gear. (How do I get on these mailing lists?!) Sacrifice the instant gratification of putting down your phone and giving your friend your full attention.

I was recently out to dinner with a friend and in the middle of a nice conversation, my phone started buzzing in my bag. She turned to me and said a little dejectedly, "It's okay, you can have it," and I said, "Honey, there's nothing more important right now than you and this conversation." Her face lit up and I felt the gesture of letting her know that she was my first priority. My choice had the added bonus of making me feel incredibly present in that moment.

Make yourself uncomfortable

I live in Brooklyn, where I'm constantly surrounded by people, and every time I follow my own advice and uninterrupted by my phone, I see that there are a lot of people around me who might need a little human connection. It could be a smile, giving up my seat to an older person on the subway, or offering to help someone if it looks like he or she needs it. Maybe buy a sandwich and a coffee for a homeless person. Or it could even be something smaller, like helping a mother with her baby in a stroller climb two flights of stairs out of the subway station. Bonus: I couldn't help but laugh and smile at her beautiful baby all the way up. I was nervous to offer to help because I didn't want to offend her, but it made her day easier and it made me feel good!

Take yourself out of your comfort zone. Choose to go to the protest you read about even if you don't like crowds, or to volunteer at a phone bank for a candidate you support even though it may mean being hung up on a few times. Being brave and breaking out of your bubble to help and support others will not only have an impact on the world,it will have a big impact on you!

Skip buying lunch once a week

Many of us put off donating to charity until the day we have money to spare. One way to get into the habit of giving is to skip buying lunch and take your lunch to work or quickly, and then donate the money to a nonprofit you really care about . You reduce the waste that occurs when you take food with you, and a home-prepared meal is usually healthier than a purchased lunch. Plus, you're also supporting a really valuable charity.

I have also decided to support companies and brands that have a positive social impact on the world, such as buying shoesTom's, sunglasses fromDifferenceor out of bedLeesa– all these brands give their products to people in need. They sometimes cost more money than I normally spend on the same type of product, but I feel good when I support a company that makes the world a better place.

Sacrifice time

We all lead busy lives, and more often than not the weekend becomes a shining beacon of relaxation and fun that we look forward to all week. But the weekend also gives us time to give back to others who are less fortunate. Organizations such asFood on wheels,Storage of leftover food, ofWalk shelter dogsAll it takes is an hour of your time, which would be the equivalent of missing brunch with friends, or an episode or two of that Netflix show you've been looking forward to. Giving back over a weekend also has the added benefit of not seeing the 'Are You Still Watching' pop-up and feeling judged by Netflix. No, Netflix, I still don't watch. I help people!

I know I have to accept that there may never be a front-page story that says, “Katie McKenna babysitting friends' newborn: world peace achieved!” But I'm happy to say that while I can't see the impact my victims have on the world at large, I can see the impact on me and the way I see the world. By being conscious of giving my time, my money and my attention, I get in return not just a smile or a kind word, but a deep gratitude for everything I have. So, despite the fear and overwhelming powerlessness, I'm going to take a deep breath, put down my phone, and try to find a way to make someone else's day better because I'm there.

Originally published on March 29, 2018.