4 Little Ways To Make A Big Difference (Right Now)
Father Moon, founder of the Unification faith, tells us in his autobiography that his dearest wish is “for the world to live in peace, as one,” and we all share this desire, don’t we? It’s just difficult to know where to start.Well, we know where not to start. Kid President, in the video below, tells us that complaining about the world won’t make it better—it’ll just make it mad. He also tells us that “the world is changed by little people, living out big love.”
Kid President is on to something. More than grand gestures or large projects, we need to spread love, each one of us in our own ways. This gives us a hint, doesn’t it? It suggests that changing the world starts with relationships… because we can’t change the world and spread love for and by ourselves.
Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, wife of Father Moon, is a huge fan of people getting together for the greater good. She says, “When the world falls into confusion and people all over the world lose track of their true center, Heaven will call upon people with a vision. When we join together as one, opening our hearts to Heaven’s guidance and living for a higher purpose, we can open a pathway to peace, and launch great spiritual, moral and social revolution. In this way the world can be transformed.”
Just as we can see God’s hand in the little things, we can make a big difference in our world with very simple actions, and we have all the more impact if this is in the context of strong relationships. Here are some ways to make your community a more peaceful place through meeting new people or reconnecting with your loved ones:
Join a Club
Clubs are a great way to find like-minded people excited about changing the world. Find something that you’re interested in, and find a local charity or club that you can plug into. Are you interested in finding bone marrow for minorities? Check out The Asian American Donor Program. Are you passionate about the rescue and resettlement of North Korean refugees? Visit Liberty in North Korea and see if there are any rescue teams in your area. Do you have a few extra hours a couple of times a month? See if you can get involved in a mentorship program like Big Brother Big Sister. If there isn’t something for you to plug into, why not throw an event or start a club of your own?
Help out with your Faith Community
Stay connected with your friends of faith by working with them at church. Even if it’s something as simple as being a greeter before service on Sunday mornings, your help is needed and appreciated! There are so many jobs that need to be done in order for a community to run smoothly. Ask your local community leader, and you’ll find that there is need for someone to organize the tithing baskets, someone to set up and take down the coffee station—not to mention Sunday School and Youth Ministry!
Start a Weekly Get-Together
Call it a small group if you must, but it’s good for your soul and the souls of people around you to meet, talk, make sure individuals are sufficiently supported and loved, and to do fun things together. Maybe you all like to hike, maybe you all like to watch romantic comedies and eat ice cream. Maybe your shared passion is sports. Small groups create the space for you to feel safe and comfortable—which in turn can lead to genuine conversation.
Call Somebody and Catch Up
Make it a point to go out for a walk once a week, and bring your phone with you. Call somebody who you haven’t spoken to in a while and catch up with them. It’s always great to know that somebody is thinking about you and cares about you, so by doing something like calling them, you are making their world—and therefore the whole world—a little bit better. Again, try to steer the conversation towards some genuine topics, but even if you don’t, if you brought a smile to their face and a laugh to their throat, you still made a difference.
These are just a few ways you can begin to change your world, and we’re looking for more! How are some ways you like to brighten up people’s lives? Tell us in the comments below!