30 Ways You Can Change The World
Post written by Dayne. Follow him on Twitter.
22 Happy Comments
Small Actions. Big Changes.
Many of us think we simply walk through this life with little or no impact on it.
We may dream big and have gigantic aspirations but we never even take that one step forward towards our dreams. Instead, we look at ALL the steps it may take to get there, and we get overwhelmed. Nothing happens. Next thing you know, we get back into our own rut in life and continue on doing the normal things, the things that fall flat and uninspired to us. Or put simply, “the daily grind”.
We simply quit pursuing our dreams before we even start.
We start to think that nothing we do can really have an impact in our life, or the world around us. The idea of changing the world seems like a vast leap and not even possible.
But here is the the reality, you don’t have to make a HUGE splash in life. You don’t have to become a celebrity, you don’t have to become the ruler of the free world, you don’t have to become a best selling author or artist. All you have to do is make a TINY splash…and the waves from that can move out and affect the world. Never underestimate the power of making that tiny splash in this world, you never know the impact it may have.
“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” -Leo Tolstoy-
You can change the world, even for one minute, even for one day with the smallest gestures or actions. You never know how that impact can then gestate down the road. One tiny action can grow into a vast wave.
Changing the world starts with changing the life of ONE PERSON first.
Start small, think big, take action.
Here are 30 ways you can change the world
(or the lives of those around you)…
1. Changing your attitude will change your life, and impact those around you.
2. Smile at a stranger.
3. Leave a waiter or waitress a tip that is more than your meal.
4. Write a letter to a random person, tell them that they are special and unique.
5. When going through a toll booth, pay the toll fee for the person behind you.
6. Write a screenplay. Shop it around. It may just get picked up and end up affecting others.
7. Tell your best friend thanks for always being there.
8. Write a letter to your favorite teacher and tell them how great he/she was and give them thanks.
9. If you can sing or play an instrument, go to a nursing home and perform. You never know, it may be their last day on this planet…make it a happy one.
10. Plant a beautiful tree in a spot where people can admire it for years to come.
11. When you mow your lawn, do the same for your neighbor.
12. Mail a card to your parents and tell them thanks for being such great parents and that you love them.
13. Write a “how to” report on something you are an expert at, then give it away online for free.
14. Start a blog about something you love that gives value to your readers. It can even be about something quirky and odd that will lighten their day like the highly addictive, My Milk Toof blog.
15. Do a drawing or painting of someone you love, and give it to them as a gift.
16. Donate blood.
17. Pay someone’s bill at a restaurant you visit, and do it anonymously. Or buy them coffee.
18. Go buy $20 worth of food and give it to a homeless person.
19. Teach something you are good at to a child. It may open many doors for them.
20. Take out a square ad in a publication and simply make it say…”You Matter In This World”.
21. Instead of trashing books you don’t want anymore, leave them somewhere. Places could include parks, coffee shops, museums, or other places where people may frequent. Be sure and leave a Post-It note on the inside cover explaining why they may enjoy reading it. And if they are not interested, encourage them to pass it on.
22. Donate your clothes to Goodwill.
23. Write an amazing article that can help people and post it at Ezinearticles.com or Ehow.com
24. Make a small flyer that says something positive and post it on random bulletin boards.
25. Create a non-profit organization for a good cause. Or just create a club that does good deeds for people locally.
26. Write a novel or book and publish it on your own at Lulu.com, then have it added to Amazon.com. Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be hundreds of pages, it can be tiny. It’s all about the value, not the length.
27. Create your personal will and leave a few of your belongings to people who would never expect it. Even better, create letters for those that you love and when you pass away, make sure they get them…in the mail.
28. Do something odd or creative no one has ever thought of and make it known to others. Be original, be fearless. Impact others.
29. Buy a book about something your friend is passionate about on Amazon.com and have it mailed to them anonymously. See what happens.
30. Give someone who loved you or offended you a second chance. Everyone deserves one.
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Now it is your turn…
What are some ways YOU would suggest making a change (small or big) in the world?
I would love to hear your suggestions or ideas!
If you loved this article, please feel free to share it on StumbleUpon or Twitter, I would appreciate it. 
Posted on August 6, 2009
Fabulous ideas for changing the world!
I’m glad to know I can starting changing things right now by putting these ideas into action. Thanks for sharing these great suggestions.
Positively Present´s last blog ..want to be happier? stop avoiding unhappiness
GREAT list – I have done some of these things in my life and they brought me great joy. Find a local group doing good works, find out something they need that you can afford and arrange for them to get it anonymously. I thought I would want the credit but it was exhilarating to do it this way. I imagined their surprise and their curiosity and excitement and it felt wonderful.
Good!
As Gandhi said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”
Kaushik´s last blog ..A Gentle Honesty
Great list and great point. It is easy to forget that small changes really do matter and can make a difference. The list helps remind you that the little things really do count.
alternaview´s last blog ..“Everything Proceeds by an Orderly Sequence of Growth”
You know it’s funny… I always end up leaving my waiter / waitress a fairly large tip, and I usually get strange looks from others around me for doing so… yet I can’t help but wonder how my contribution affected that persons (waiter / waitress) day.
Was my tip just like all the others? Were they having a poor day and I helped brighten it up? Were they surprised and happy to see what I left them? Even though it sounds odd, it’s something I have a habit of doing!
Travis´s last blog ..Stop Whining
I came across your blog by chance – and I’m really glad that I did. What great idea’s! Thanks for this article.
Heya!!
It’s like the chaos theory, a butterfly flapping its wings in the rainforest in America can cause a change in the atmosphere and as a ripple effect create a rainstorm in Australia.
I really loved your list, you have some wonderful ideas of making a difference!
Stumbled and bookmarked
Keep Well!
Diggy – Upgradereality.com´s last blog ..The art of 1 hour a day
Thanks for all the great comments to all of you! You are all such great contributors and I appreciate that!
I am a true believer that making a small change in someone else’s life can have a ripple effect just like Diggy said in the lives of others…thus, changing the world a little bit. 
Cheers
Dayne
Dayne | TheHappySelf.com´s last blog ..30 Ways You Can Change The World
Great Article! Very inspiring!
Dave´s last blog ..Passion: It Does a Life Good!
These are brilliant and do-able ways for each of us to make a positive difference one deed at a time
Karen
Providing love to those who you don’t know, creates a portal of love to
enter your life.
” You have to give to get”
– Napoleon Hill
So by us giving away love which is the most powerful human emtion. We
tend to be surround by love also.
Great post! Best i have ever read!
jonathanfigaro´s last blog ..Top 10 Quotes to Improve Mind Instantly
Hey Dayne—
You inspired me to make a change in this world (actually a few)
I have written my own blog on this topic after your inspiration. Check it out…. http://lifeexcursion.com/index.php/15-ways-you-can-change-the-world/
Thanks for inspiring as always…
Dave
LifeExcursion
David Damron´s last blog ..15 Ways You Can Change the World
Very beautiful posts and some excellent thoughts. Thanks for sharing with all of us.
Everything Counts´s last blog ..Keep Score!
Some lovely thoughts here. Here’s my addition. Since I can easily be far too serious it’s always good to remind myself to be silly now and then. Forget acting your age, play a practical joke on someone or tuck a silly note or poem in their lunch box. Now two people can enjoy the power of being immature:)
Annabel Candy´s last blog ..Lessons From An African Witchdoctor
Hey Annabel, thank you so much for commenting! Yes, I agree with you, being silly and taking life a bit less serious can really change things. Excellent addition and thanks for making that point.
Thanks again for visiting!
Dayne
I am blessed to have been on the receiving end of many of those actions. It really does make a difference & has inspired me to do the same for others. There really is power to change the world in those actions.
Mrs. Smith´s last blog ..Laziness keeps me in debt.
Thank you for visiting here Mrs. Smith. I think you make a great point…when one is on the receiving end of good things, many then “pay it forward”. These simple things can be life changing and world changing.
Cheers to you!
Dayne
How are changing the world Dayne?
jonathanfigaro´s last blog ..Top 10 Quotes to Improve Mind Instantly
In many ways (hopefully) by…
-creating this blog
-being a loving boyfriend and loyal friend to my friends
-doing good deeds
-publishing helpful online information
-big tips at restaurants
Those are a few
hi Dayne,
I love the list. awesome reminder how small gestures can make a different. I have shared it to my facebook without your permission. Hope you do not mind.
cheers,
Jen
Not a problem at all Jen.
I’m glad you enjoyed it and I hope many of your Facebook friends do too! Thanks again for taking time to comment and visit here.
Have a good one!
Dayne