If the idea of changing the world for the better appears to be rather overwhelming, it’s because you’re thinking about it in the wrong way. It becomes a more practical and manageable notion when you scale things down a bit. You don’t have to change the world all at once; just do what you can with what you have.

Since small changes can make a difference, here are three examples of how you can change the world in your own way.

1. Change the World by Practicing Self-Care

While self-improvement — whether it is learning a new skill, developing a good habit, or adopting a positive attitude — is certainly a way of changing yourself for the better, it’s not the only way. You could also change yourself by expressing self-appreciation, by shopping for some vacation outfits and going to some exotic place to restore your sense of hope and happiness.

When one person changes for the better, in whatever way they think best, then it has a ripple effect on the social order, rather like the wings of a butterfly influencing air currents and gulf streams halfway across the world.

When you change yourself, you change others in ways that you may never know. Perhaps you say a few profound things on social media that travel across the planet, touch hearts, and give people a deeper sense of meaning about the value and dignity of human life. Perhaps you inspire other people to be happier and more fulfilled through your personal example of living in peace and harmony with all of life.

2. Change the World by Championing Sustainability

You may feel a little helpless when you hear about all the floods, earthquakes, fires, hailstorms, and volcanic eruptions now happening across the world because of anomalies in the weather, but you can still do your part in supporting a more sustainable future for us all. One way could be right at home… by making it environmentally friendly. You could, for instance, install solar panels, recycle all your boxes and tubs and cans, switch from incandescent light bulbs to LEDs, or use less gas when cooking.

These may all seem like small, even trivial, things, but they follow the wisdom teaching of Mahatma Gandhi who said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” You may not be able to change the environment, but you can change your impact on it.

3. Change the World With Small Acts of Kindness

There is a quote by Aesop that sums up the value of an act of kindness: “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”

Random acts of kindness can come in a multitude of forms:

• You could pay for a stranger at the checkout stand if they discover that they don’t have enough money to buy all their groceries.
• You could pay for the driver behind you at a tollbooth or fast food restaurant.
• You could teach people a life skill that will give them the power to earn an income.
• You could hold an elderly relative’s hand and patiently listen to them talk about their happiest memories; a simple act that will help them know they are not alone.

It doesn’t take much to make a huge difference in someone’s life.

Lending the World a Helping Hand

Everyone contributes to the world by how they behave each day. They can make it better or worse. For example, many people unconsciously buy into the narcissism epidemic spreading in modern western societies, taking what they can from everyone at every opportunity. However, a smaller population prefers to be kind and generous, giving what they can to help others in difficult situations.

Simply deciding to be a positive influence wherever you go and whatever you do will change the world for the better.