What can I do?
How can I make a difference?
How can I bring change?
You don’t have to be an activist to make a difference in the world. If you
care deeply about the state of the world or even your own neighbourhood
but you can’t seem to be able to devote your whole life to this cause, here are some ideas to help you live your values by choosing simple yet effective actions that you can take every day After all, one is the mother of ten thousand and seemingly small actions taken individually by millions of people can change the world. This is the power of one, this is the power you have.
HOME:
• Use energy-efficient bulbs and appliances.
• Use water sparingly. Turn off the tap while you shave or brush your teeth.
• Avoid shower baths. Use buckets.
• Turn off the light and bulb switches when you step out of a room.
• Use environment-friendly detergents and cleaners.
• Live in a smaller home. Keep it clean, pest-free.
WORK:
• Make people from diverse backgrounds feel welcome.
• Confront injustice in the workplace.
• Value people over profit.
• Work to make your company more socially and environmentally responsible.
• Recycle paper. Use paper on both sides.
• Use your current job skills to make some difference to the world around you.
• Speak up if you see any one getting harassed unfairly or on sexual grounds.
FOOD:
• Don’t waste or throw away food.
• Reduce meat consumption; eat more fruits, vegetables, grains and raw foods.
• Eat healthy, sensible, preferably home-cooked food.
SHOPPING:
• Buy less stuff.
• Buy products with eco-packaging.
• Stop using plastic bags. Bring your own cloth bag.
• Reduce food packaging; buy in bulk.
• Don’t use products that have been tested on animals.
• Support local growers and grocers.
• Boycott socially irresponsible companies.
FRIENDS/FAMILY:
• Make quality time for loved ones.
• Choose interactive, involving modes of entertainment.
• Don’t encourage your children to play video games or with toys which promote violence.
• Encourage your children to learn something new every day.
• Encourage creative expression through, music, writing, arts, crafts, and conversation.
COMMUNITY
• Get to know your neighbours.
• Greet the liftman, thank the security guard, say hello to the old gentleman in the park.
• Donate your time and effort to some social cause, even if it’s one hour a month.
• Attend meetings of your building society.
• Get involved with your local ALM or citizens’ organisation.
• Support local arts and culture.
• Keep the front of your building or your shop clean.
• Bag all garbage responsibly.
• Start a vermiculture unit in your building.
• Encourage every one in the building to plant saplings.
• Protest if parks or open land is encroached upon.
• Protest if water bodies are filled up indiscriminately.
• Know your rights as a citizen.
• Be on friendly terms with your local police station.
ENVIRONMENT
• Stop littering.
• Stop spitting paan juice.
• Don’t smoke in public places. In fact, don’t smoke!!
• Use clean fuels.
• Don’t use fireworks that pollute.
• Don’t honk.
• Don’t urinate in public spaces.
MEDIA
• Watch less TV. Support non-commercial TV.
• Read something every day.
• Read something that expands your mind and horizons.
• Write letters to the Editor. Be heard.
• Reduce junk mail.
• Don’t encourage pornography.
TRANSPORT
• Set up a carpool for school and/or office.
• Go on a daily walk.
• Learn to ride a bicycle.
• Cycle or walk whenever possible.
• Take public transport.
• Don’t take your car out of the garage once a week.
POLITICS
• Vote.
• Get to know the people who are standing for election, their background and record.
• Support a party that reflects your values.
• Contact your local representative and share your views.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
• Powerful social change begins with powerful individual change. Become someone who inspires peace by his or her presence.
• Be a bridge, not a divider.
• Strive first to have dialogue.
• Reconsider your priorities.
“A great human revolution in the life of one single individual can change the destiny of society, the nation, and indeed that of entire humankind.”
Daisaku Ikeda
President, Soka Gakkai International
**Created by Bharat Soka Gakkai
**Not official document. Please do not distribute as such. But feel free to spread the message. [Palash]
How can I make a difference?
How can I bring change?
You don’t have to be an activist to make a difference in the world. If you
care deeply about the state of the world or even your own neighbourhood
but you can’t seem to be able to devote your whole life to this cause, here are some ideas to help you live your values by choosing simple yet effective actions that you can take every day After all, one is the mother of ten thousand and seemingly small actions taken individually by millions of people can change the world. This is the power of one, this is the power you have.
HOME:
• Use energy-efficient bulbs and appliances.
• Use water sparingly. Turn off the tap while you shave or brush your teeth.
• Avoid shower baths. Use buckets.
• Turn off the light and bulb switches when you step out of a room.
• Use environment-friendly detergents and cleaners.
• Live in a smaller home. Keep it clean, pest-free.
WORK:
• Make people from diverse backgrounds feel welcome.
• Confront injustice in the workplace.
• Value people over profit.
• Work to make your company more socially and environmentally responsible.
• Recycle paper. Use paper on both sides.
• Use your current job skills to make some difference to the world around you.
• Speak up if you see any one getting harassed unfairly or on sexual grounds.
FOOD:
• Don’t waste or throw away food.
• Reduce meat consumption; eat more fruits, vegetables, grains and raw foods.
• Eat healthy, sensible, preferably home-cooked food.
SHOPPING:
• Buy less stuff.
• Buy products with eco-packaging.
• Stop using plastic bags. Bring your own cloth bag.
• Reduce food packaging; buy in bulk.
• Don’t use products that have been tested on animals.
• Support local growers and grocers.
• Boycott socially irresponsible companies.
FRIENDS/FAMILY:
• Make quality time for loved ones.
• Choose interactive, involving modes of entertainment.
• Don’t encourage your children to play video games or with toys which promote violence.
• Encourage your children to learn something new every day.
• Encourage creative expression through, music, writing, arts, crafts, and conversation.
COMMUNITY
• Get to know your neighbours.
• Greet the liftman, thank the security guard, say hello to the old gentleman in the park.
• Donate your time and effort to some social cause, even if it’s one hour a month.
• Attend meetings of your building society.
• Get involved with your local ALM or citizens’ organisation.
• Support local arts and culture.
• Keep the front of your building or your shop clean.
• Bag all garbage responsibly.
• Start a vermiculture unit in your building.
• Encourage every one in the building to plant saplings.
• Protest if parks or open land is encroached upon.
• Protest if water bodies are filled up indiscriminately.
• Know your rights as a citizen.
• Be on friendly terms with your local police station.
ENVIRONMENT
• Stop littering.
• Stop spitting paan juice.
• Don’t smoke in public places. In fact, don’t smoke!!
• Use clean fuels.
• Don’t use fireworks that pollute.
• Don’t honk.
• Don’t urinate in public spaces.
MEDIA
• Watch less TV. Support non-commercial TV.
• Read something every day.
• Read something that expands your mind and horizons.
• Write letters to the Editor. Be heard.
• Reduce junk mail.
• Don’t encourage pornography.
TRANSPORT
• Set up a carpool for school and/or office.
• Go on a daily walk.
• Learn to ride a bicycle.
• Cycle or walk whenever possible.
• Take public transport.
• Don’t take your car out of the garage once a week.
POLITICS
• Vote.
• Get to know the people who are standing for election, their background and record.
• Support a party that reflects your values.
• Contact your local representative and share your views.
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
• Powerful social change begins with powerful individual change. Become someone who inspires peace by his or her presence.
• Be a bridge, not a divider.
• Strive first to have dialogue.
• Reconsider your priorities.
“A great human revolution in the life of one single individual can change the destiny of society, the nation, and indeed that of entire humankind.”
Daisaku Ikeda
President, Soka Gakkai International
**Created by Bharat Soka Gakkai
**Not official document. Please do not distribute as such. But feel free to spread the message. [Palash]
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