At a recent social matters group meeting, I was surprised to find out how helpless people feel when it comes to making the world a better place.  Perhaps it was a question of life experiences, or maybe just generational differences.  I was the youngest person there, with the average age hovering around 45 or so.  Still, the one woman that seemed most vehement about improving the world but not knowing how to make an impact was the closest to my age.  So… that shoots that hypothesis.

Most of the talk was regarding politics and social justice issues, which I will confess, are not my areas of expertise.  I tend to focus more on making small changes in hopes of changing the lives of those around me.  As the saying goes, think globally, act locally.

My question is this: how do you get the idea across that maybe we’d all be better off if the long run if we can convince others to focus more on what they really can change?  Wouldn’t we be helping more if we devote time to worthy causes that can truly use our assistance, rather than wasting time arguing over what needs to be done about corrupt politicians?

I understand completely that we all wish we had more control over what happens in the world these days.  But how do you affect change in the world around you, if not immediately around you?