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I remember someone telling me that there’s no point in trying to end world hunger because it’s too big of an issue. But I’ve always been the kind of person who believes that $2 can really make a huge difference in one person’s life…And even if I didn’t end world hunger with $2, there’s one less hungry person out there.
Have I always been a good person? No. I’ve done terrible things and hurt many people. I have (sadly) bullied someone during my teenage years. Well, technically, I was a bystander but that does not make things better. Growing up and learning from my mistakes, I try to be better.
But being a better person is a constant effort. The world was built by powerful people manipulating and belittling the weak. Our ancestors survived because they believe in the survival of the fittest. So, it’s not uncommon for people to throw others under the bus to save themselves.
HOWEVER, THAT IS ANCIENT TEACHING.
Survival of the fittest helped humans to remain at the top of the food chain. Right now, we need to move forward. We need to evolve to the next step. And for that to happen, we need to make the world a better place.
So, we’re back to my first point… before we can even try to change the world, we need to change ourselves.
Now, I want to share something a video I saw on Facebook. I’m sharing this video not because I want to spread the negativity further or ruin her reputation but it is strictly for reference.
In this video, a lady had missed her stop and was demanding the bus driver to make a U-Turn for her. She basically expected a public-service bus to make a special stop for her. And in Singapore, that just can’t happen.
What happened in the comment section? People started “bashing” her for attitude, bring up her race and nationality, throwing insults, and much more negative words of hatred.
What did we (netizens & people around her) fail to realise? We could have simply offered to drive/book a cab for her. Instead of providing a solution, we are focused on recording the situation and publishing it to the world.
If we wanted to make the world a little better, why not be part of the solution?
It might cost you $10 to book a cab for her but you could have helped the other 10–20 bus commuters saved time that was spent arguing, moved on with yours & their lives, end your day a little happier.
You might think I’m siding her but no, that’s not what I’m trying to do. What I want us to realise is that we have a part to play. Yes, bad shit happens all the time. Yes, some people can be unreasonable. But we can control our actions. We can choose to be the better person and be part of the solution.
Slowly but surely, we can make the world a better place.
Examples Of Small Gestures You Can Make Today
- Holding the door open for someone
- Helping your neighbour carry heavy grocery
- Offering to top up cash when the person in front of you doesn’t have enough
- Sharing an umbrella with a stranger
- Tutoring someone who can’t afford a paid tutor
- Not littering on purpose
- Reduce, reuse, recycle whenever possible
- Inviting the new guy to sit with you
- Apologise
- Smile
The last 2 can really make a lot of difference. Even if you only impact one person, let’s make his/her life a little better.
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P.s This is a little different from my usual writing style. It’s more of… a rant? I’m not sure. I’m trying out various styles as I’m trying to find ‘my voice’.
Let me know what y’all think!
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Buy here: The Good Men Project: Real Stories from the Front Lines of Modern Manhood
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Talk to you soon.
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This post was previously published on www.medium.com and is republished here with permission from the author.
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Photo credit: Shutterstock