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People Share the Inspiring Everyday Things They Do to Make the World Better

We all try to leave the world just a little better than we found it, right?

At least, this whole place would be a wee bit nicer if we all did.

If you’re looking for ways to make small gestures for the planet, or for your fellow human, take notes from these 15 people – they have some great ideas!

15. My kids don’t get this and it drives me nuts.

Take care of my things.

We didn’t have much while growing up and my mother always believed in quality.

She would buy things she knew we would use a lot. I have the same pencil case from 6th grade, I’m in grad school now.

I have linen bedsheets, water bottles, fountain pens, mugs, and even some clothes that I’ve used for over 10 years.

This helps me consume less, in turn creating less waste.

I feel like we should strive to reduce, before reusing and recycling.

14. This is just so wholesome.

I am shy so I find it hard to say in person when I have received good or great customer service so I like to email the company directly and let them know.

I always try to remember the persons name and to be specific, so that it might make it back to the employee or they might win an employee of the month award.

13. Lead by example.

When someone gets cut off repeatedly in conversation I make an effort to make eye contact with them and say “Go ahead… I’m listening…” or something along those lines.

12. I do this every time I’m outside.

Pick up trash.

Yeah, that’s it.

But it works.

11. If you really mean it, it goes a long way.

I say “thank you”, sincerely.

Simple but effective.

10. Help the next person out just a bit.

I used to leave my parking permit on the permit machines if I had an early day at community college so someone else didn’t have to pay.

Turns out it started a trend and people still do it.

I can’t take the full credit though, I think someone accidentally bought two and didn’t realize it so they left it at the machine.

9. Aw, one for the shorties of the world.

When I remove an item from a grocery store shelf, I move the same item forward to replace it.

Especially top shelf items.

8. I’ve done this since I was a kid.

Cut all 6 pack rings.

Animals routinely get caught up in these, and it can literally cut through their skin.

If you cut the rings, they’re relatively safe.

7. It shows you noticed.

Recognize and thank a person for their help/efforts, no matter how small a task may seem

6. Everyone could do this more often.

Donate blood. Your body’s constantly making red blood cells and platelets, and it’s harmless to donate. I started with whole blood because, well, that’s what “donating blood” means to people. Fifteen minutes of time, eat a cookie, get a sticker.

After I did that for a few gallons I was asked if I’d consider donating platelets. They have to be used within five days of collection so there’s always a constant need, but it takes about two hours to do it. A single pint of blood doesn’t have enough for a platelet transfusion, so the donor ends up hooked to an apheresis machine that’ll centrifuge the blood, remove the platelets, and return the rest of the blood back to the body. So I end up watching Netflix for 2 hours on Saturday while doing another triple donation, every other week, up to 24 times a year.

It’s like Spider-Man’s quote in Civil War: “When you can do the things I can, but you don’t, and then the bad things happen … they happen because of you.” Obviously donating like this isn’t saving the world, but it’s making the world a better place, and I’d feel ashamed if I just spend that time watching Netflix at home instead of doing some good at the same time.

(I also donated bone marrow in 2008, so that was a little more of a “if you can help and don’t, and bad things happen, it’s your fault” situation, as I was the best available match in the entire world for my recipient. That was a little thing to me, but a life-changing thing for that person’s family.)

5. You’re not expendable though…

I always go on the side of the sidewalk closest to the cars when I see an elderly person or someone with a baby.

I doubt anything changes really but I like to think I’m being selfless…

4. Because there are a LOT of people who act the opposite.

I always make sure to be overly polite to people serving me, wether in a restaurant or a shop and I always tell them to have a good day when I leave.

Having worked in retail I know a simple how are you, thank you or a have a nice day can mean a lot, especially on a bad shift. I was raised to have good manners and I’ll be damned if I don’t flex them at any opportunity I have.

It always surprises/saddens me that other people can’t be the same way.

3. Being nice is so underrated.

I don’t know if it makes the world a better place, but I try to be as nice as possible to people.

Even strangers who come up and talk to me, I’m nice to them.

I don’t know what they’re going through, but sometimes we just need someone to talk to.

2. Too many people have no idea how to accept responsibility.

Own up to my mistakes to those it directly effects.

1. My family does this, too. Poor little ladies and gents!

Move turtles out of the road 🙂

I want to try harder and do more now, don’t you?

What do you do on a daily basis to try to brighten your little corner of the world? Tell us in the comments!