How to Be the Good You Want to See in the World
Five simple things you can do to make the world a better place
Do you see it? You’ll find it if you look for it.
Sometimes you really have to search, but good is usually there — somewhere. Sadly, this modern world seems hellbent on destroying the good in it.
The matter is not hopeless. If we’re not finding enough good in our lives, then it’s time to make sure we are creating our own.
Here are five simple ways to put more good into the world around you. Each of us can #BeTheGood we want to see.
Look inside
As much as I try to be a good and positive person, I have to admit that I have some serious character flaws. I love to rant, to give unsolicited advice, and to point out mistakes. Well, really the last one is more of a compulsion rather than something I love.
Ask anyone who knows me well, I tend to be too vocal about the wrongs I see around me. I’m the crazy guy sitting near you at a conference or seminar mumbling to himself. When the speaker mispronounces a word, I’m the one that has to say the word correctly out loud.
You’ve seen me. You likely turned and gave me a disapproving look. On the inside, though, you may have been applauding me because you also caught the mistake.
The digital world has conditioned us to look for and point out the bad in everything. Social media has become a flurry of comments pointing out the flaws and mistakes of others. This critical attitude then spills over to every aspect of our lives.
The first step to change, then, is to look inside ourselves. Take a few minutes to do an internal review. How do you respond to things? Are you more likely to be negative or positive?
Knowing how this kind of conditioning affects you is crucial to being the good you want to see in the world. After all, the first step to solving a problem is recognizing that there is a problem.
What changes do you need to make inside?
Set the example
Not long ago, I was at a busy airport. In amongst the crowd, I noticed a disheveled woman who was clearly having a bad day. Struggling with pulling her suitcase while juggling her laptop bag, purse, coffee and a handful of loose files, I could see she was a recipe for disaster.
I wasn’t near her when she tripped. Down she went sending papers, coffee and the contents of her purse skidding along the walkway in front of her. I imagine that she felt truly beaten at that moment. She didn’t even try to get up for several seconds.
It was very disappointing to note that in the next minute or so not one person stopped to help her. Men in suits, women with small children, and a dozen other people just walked around her and her mess.
It was too much for me. I made a beeline to rush to her aid and helped her gather her things and get back on her feet.
An interesting thing happened in the meantime. After I arrived and started to help, it was as if the woman suddenly became visible. The other travelers that were all lost in their own worlds noticed that someone was in need and several now stopped to help.
All it took was one person to make a start, and then others followed suit.
Usually, the best way to promote real change is to set the right example. Telling someone to do something can be effective. Showing them how to do it makes it more likely they will repeat the process.
In your desire to #BeTheGood, look for ways you can help others and set a positive example.
What can you do today to set a good example?
Listen then act
It’s one thing to know what to do, yet another thing entirely to actually do it.
Many like to speak of the importance of the Golden Rule or paying it forward. These ideas are often excellently portrayed in movies like the Love Comes Softly series or the TV show When Calls the Heart.
“Do unto others…” is meaningless if you don’t get about the ‘doing’ part.
Hearing also involves being in tune with the world around you. Many of us are reluctant to ask for help.
For example, I cope every day with a chronic illness and bipolar disorder, both of which often limit what I can do. Yet, when I need help, I rarely ask for it. (Yes, this is a character flaw I am working to improve.)
Independence is another way we are conditioned by our society. Don’t get me wrong, it’s good to be responsible for yourself, but when independence goes too far, such as never being willing to ask for help, then it’s no longer a healthy thing.
Since so many of us are reluctant to ask for the help we need, you have to listen to what’s said and sometimes what’s not said. Quite often, a simple conversation will reveal things that a friend or loved one needs help completing or wants to talk about in more detail. If you’re listening, then you can take action to help.
Who in your life needs you to listen? What acts can you do for them?
Be generous
The news headlines are full of random acts of cruelty and violence. Let’s try to change that narrative. Being generous is an excellent way to affect change and #BeTheGood you want to see.
Unfortunately, most people today link generosity with money and feel they don’t have enough to help others. In reality, being generous is about the way you think and act. It’s how you spend your time and the attention you give others.
Think about how much good random acts of kindness could accomplish. We’ve all heard the stories of people randomly paying for a stranger’s restaurant bill or groceries as an act of kindness, and those are wonderful examples.
However, showing your generosity could be as simple as waiting a few extra seconds to hold the door open for someone. It could be offering to return a shopping cart for the mom who is trying to load groceries and her three kids into her car. You could offer to share your umbrella on a rainy day. Your neighbor’s yard might have leaves that need to be raked or snow to be shoveled.
Generosity doesn’t have to cost you anything but time. Being a listening ear for a friend or shoulder to cry on is generous. So is sending a brief text message to say, “Hey, I’m thinking of you.”
How can you be more generous today?
Start here
Creating positive change in the world is about action, not the intention. It’s about keeping your eyes open to see where you can make things better and then doing something to help.
Look around the area you are right now, whether at home or in public. Is there something on the floor or ground that needs to be picked up and thrown away? Is there someone nearby that is having a bad day and needs a smile or a hug? (Note, it’s probably not a good idea to go around hugging strangers, but you get a general idea.)
At home, are there household chores needing attention, such as taking out the garbage, washing the dishes, or doing some laundry? Even if the task is not something you normally do, go ahead and #BeTheGood and do it anyway.
What is one good thing you can do right now?
Takeaway
As a quick review, here are the five ways you can be the good you want to see in the world.
- Take a look inside
- Set the example
- Listen then act
- Be generous
- Start where you are
Of course, none of us can force others to change. Any attempt at change will be temporary if it’s not in the individual’s heart to improve. Still, I challenge each of you as I challenge myself, #BeTheGood that you want to see in the world. Do something today to make someone’s life better or easier.
A better world with more good in it is possible, but it starts with each one of us. Start small, and do your part.
What other ways can you think of to #BeTheGood in the world? What good deeds have you done? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Until next time, keep fighting.
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