How to Help During Hard Times

Each day there are stories of terrible things happening throughout the world. Natural disasters, war, and other atrocities can seem to be insurmountable. It may seem there is more than one person can do to make positive changes, but even small actions can help to improve the world. What can you do? Here are a few possible ways to contribute to making the world better.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Bringing About Change in Yourself

  1. Leave your comfort zone . To effect change you have to be willing to make sacrifices and take on responsibilities you wouldn't normally want to do.
    • Find your zone of courage. Success Magazine [1] recommends leaving your comfort zone a few steps at a time. Start by making changes to your daily routine, or greeting people you see every day but don't know.
  2. Take a course in creative writing, learn to play a musical instrument, do something you've always wanted to do, or never thought of doing.
    • Apply your new skill. Don't keep your skills to yourself. Everyone has a contribution to make. Use your new music skills to entertain others, or educate people through your writing.
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  3. Everyone wants to succeed, but often failure can't be avoided. In fact, some businesses are as interested in their potential employees' failures as they are in their successes. [2]
    • Stay objective. There's no doubt that failure hurts, but by staying objective it is possible to evaluate what went wrong and move forward.
  4. A study at Johns Hopkins University [3] shows that having a positive attitude can prevent or reduce cardiovascular problems in families with a history of heart disease. Here are some recommended ways to boost your outlook.
    • Smile. Even a fake smile can improve your mood, and can make those around you feel better as well.
    • Change your perspective. Instead of becoming frustrated at a setback, use it as an opportunity to develop a new strategy.
    • Learn to be resilient. Resiliency is defined as the ability to adapt to a negative situation. Experts recommend building positive relationships, accepting change, and taking action to remedy a problem to build resiliency. [4]
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Bringing About Change in Your Community

  1. An urban planner in Scotland is thought to have originated the motto "Think Global, act Local." [5] Volunteering in your community can have a worldwide impact and can have surprising benefits for you as well. [6]
    • Volunteer to help children. Schools and community organizations are looking for people who can help children with homework, reading, and other skills. Even during a pandemic, it is possible to teach children online.
    • Help improve your community. Partner with your local officials or civic organizations to address the needs of your community. Local playground needs cleaning up? Organize a trash pickup day. Local theater needs volunteers? Be an usher, or even an actor.
  2. Many town council meetings set aside time for the public to express their concerns. This is an opportunity to make your voice heard. You can make your presentation more effective by remembering these things:
    • Be familiar with your city council's rules for presenting. Check your municipality's website to find meeting schedules, agendas, and allotted time to speak.
    • Research your facts. City council officials will be more likely to be persuaded by your arguments if you can back them up with verifiable facts. Is there an intersection that needs a traffic light? Make your case with statistics such as how cost effective a light will be, or how the traffic light will prevent accidents.
    • Be concise. Limit your speech to one or two minutes, with a few minutes to answer questions.
    • Be polite. No matter how strongly you fee about your issue, this is not the time to start an argument.
  3. Many municipalities have community events to showcase local businesses and initiatives. Volunteer to man a booth or assist in the event planning.
  4. Run for public office . One effective way to influence elected officials is to become one. Before you take this step, be sure to carefully weigh the pros and cons.
  5. Shopping locally supports the local economy and enables new business to flourish. This includes yard sales and lemonade stands.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Bringing About Change Beyond Your Community

  1. It is a proven fact that practicing kindness has benefits for both the giver and the recipient. [7] You don't need to make a grand gesture, just do something as simple as holding a door for someone.
  2. 2
    Donate to organizations whose causes you support. Donating to worthy causes is an effective way to help, but be sure you donate wisely.
    • Donate cash. Writing a check is the most common form of philanthropy. You can make a one-time or recurring donation.
    • Donate soda can tabs. Once considered an urban legend, organizations such as Ronald McDonald House [8] do recycle aluminum soda can tabs to raise funds. Search online to find where you can donate locally.
    • Donate items. Many organizations have lists of what they need to carry out their activities. For example, animal shelter or check out their website for what they need.
    • Do you sing or play a musical instrument? There is an organization [9] where musicians can share their talents with patients in healthcare facilities either in person (when conditions allow), or online.
    • Are you an artist? There are organizations [10] throughout the world that need your artistic talents.
  4. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA), faith based and community organizations offer a wide variety of human and material resources that can prove invaluable during and after an incident. [11] Engaging with faith-based organizations can have an impact on communities both local and worldwide.
    • Participate in community outreach in your church. If your church has community services like a soup kitchen or clothing drive, volunteer to be a part of it.
    • Participate in mission trips. Many churches organize trips to both foreign and domestic areas to provide health care and disaster relief. If you are unable to travel, you can contribute by donating cash or materials to the cause.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.success.com/4-tips-for-leaving-your-comfort-zone/
      2. ↑ https://drexel.edu/goodwin/professional-studies-blog/overview/2019/August/learning-from-failure/
      3. ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-power-of-positive-thinking
      4. ↑ https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-power-of-positive-thinking
      5. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3828730/
      6. ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/healthy-living/volunteering-and-its-surprising-benefits.htm
      7. ↑ https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/science-of-kindness.html
      8. ↑ https://rmhccni.org/get-involved/pop-tabs/
      9. ↑ https://www.musiciansoncall.org/
      1. ↑ https://www.voluntouring.org/tag/art/
      2. ↑ https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-07/engaging-faith-based-and-community-organizations.pdf

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