How might we make the world a better place?

How might we make the world a better place?  There are many ways.  When someone asked Mother Teresa how he might help her, she simply said, "Come and see." 

 We can simply observe what needs to be done, and do it as best we can.  This might mean providing physical help (such as cleaning or giving a ride) or giving a smile, a listening ear, or encouragement.  Simple expressions of help can be given to family, friends, coworkers, or strangers.  Or, if we have the means, we might donate time or money to a worthwhile cause (such as a soup kitchen, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Habitat for Humanity, or a political campaign).  Further, you can think of your job as a way to contribute.  For example, one janitor might view his job as simply cleaning and getting rid of trash.  Another might view it as creating an environment that helps educators teach and a generation of children to learn.

Another way to make the world better is to beautify or improve our environment for the sake of others.  This could involve artistic expression (such as painting or poetry), inventing, sprucing up your home or workplace, or picking up litter on your walking path.  Additionally, you can think about what it would be like to be in another person's shoes and see how your behaviors affect that person.  Plante reminds us that the hotel housekeeper cleans up other people's messes and might be ignored by the guests.  Perhaps she would appreciate receiving a simple greeting from the guests she cleans for.  A salesclerk might be tired after a long day of dealing with demanding customers.  An empathic smile or word of thanks for her service might go a long way.

S.C. Hayes reminds us that we all carry burdens--perhaps memories, partially healed wounds, worries, self-doubts, or fears.  Rather than trying to ignore, deny, or hide these, you can think of them as passengers on the bus that you are driving through life.  You compassionately acknowledge that they are aboard, but you needn't listen to every demand that you stop, take a detour, or let them drive.  In this way we can move ahead purposefully in life, even with these imperfections.  Remember that you are driving, not being driven.  Choose a pace that is comfortable.  You can't do everything, and you can't do it all at once.  But you can experience the security and satisfaction of doing what you can do.