What can one person do?

A lot.

Although this has never been more true in my opinion, it is unfortunately not an opinion that is widely shared.

True to the title, this is my purpose for this blog.  I believe that people are inherently good and that they want to make a difference; it’s just hard to pick a spot to begin. 

With instant communication, time seeming to compress daily, and negative public events flooding the world from one catastrophe to another; it is easy to see why some people say, “Why bother,”

To paraphrase Teddy Roosevelt, do what you can, where you are, with what you have.

Let’s begin with voting.  In a world of 10-second soundbites, and bombastic politicians, it might seem like your single vote doesn’t mean much.  In my region, we have a majority government that was elected with only 43% of the eligible voters voting.  Fifty-seven percent of the population did not bother to vote.  We have a government threatening to remove the charter right of collective bargaining, removing protected lands from a world biosphere to pave over, and a premier who lies so much that he seems surprised when someone calls him on it.  His right-wing supporters tend to vote in greater numbers than some of the left-leaning voters … this needs to change.  Even if more people voted for the existing government that would still be better than people not bothering to vote.

Our freedom comes with responsibility, and first and foremost is our responsibility to vote.  There are many reasons why people don’t vote.  Some people don’t know the issues.  Apathy and a feeling that nothing will change anyway.  Voting today has never been easier, voting by mail or online has eliminated the need to exercise our franchise yet people don’t vote.  Each and every vote does count, and collectively if more people voted, we would have a government elected by a majority of people, who would be more responsive to the people.  My challenge to you is to start learning about the issues today, plan to vote in the next election, and take at least one person you know who didn’t vote last time with you.  

To make a difference, we all have to learn more about the issues in our society.  Mainstream media can help but remember world events have more nuance than what you can observe in a ten-second soundbite.  A good leader must do more than look good in front of a camera.  Learn to question, look at events, and report with critical thinking skills.  Avoid simply looking at what happens to be trending on the internet.  To be informed you will have to look for in-depth coverage of local, national, and world events.  We have become lazy and too many people are drawn in by slogans like “Make America Great,” while ignoring the fact that many of those politicians spouting that rhetoric have right-wing agendas to remove your rights and freedoms.

Civil liberties, education, and critical thought should be central to our society, instead, we are caught up in lies about “fake news” and distracted so that we do not ask questions.  Ask “what does that really mean?” How are you going to make America great? What proof do you have for making the statements you claim and are your statements even verifiable?  Holding our leaders to stand behind their statements and promises is something everyone can do.

Learn about the people falling through our society’s cracks.  Not everyone can pull themselves up by their bootstraps if anyone actually ever did.  Anyone that claims that someone can pull themselves out of a bad situation alone, is delusional.  We live in a society with an increasing chasm between those who are okay and those who are not.  One in seven people in our country is experiencing food insecurity or hunger regularly.  One in four people will experience a mental health experience this year.  Slavery exists in our country in the form of human trafficking, not just in the big cities, but in rural areas as well.  Homelessness affects more and more people each day, not just the stereotypical examples, but increasingly what was once called the middle class.

All these societal issues can be resolved.  To do so requires awareness as the first step.  We need to see these people and make helping them a political priority.  Getting a job is not the solution, ending poverty is the solution.  Opening our minds to accept concepts like a living wage, a universal basic income based on need, and geared-to-income housing for vulnerable and low-income people is a great place to begin.  My challenge to you is to go out in your community and see the things that you haven’t seen before and look for people who are suffering, if your community is like mine, you won’t have to look far.  Next, find ways to help.  Volunteer and join community groups that are trying to help, food banks, and meal programs.  Volunteer at a community garden and help groups like the United Way and Salvation Army.  One person can alleviate suffering for more than one person.  Making a difference begins that way.

Challenge conventional solutions.  Food insecurity, for example, is a symptom of a problem.  Continually supporting food banks is a great band-aid and is definitely worthwhile.  However, the real issues are poverty and the lack of safe and affordable housing.  Use your vote, your knowledge of the issues, and your personal network to put that on the agenda for local, regional, and federal politicians. 

Seasonal toy drives are another example.  Thousands of well-meaning people annually donate toys to help children in need.  Instead of donating toys, donate money instead.  It’s not that the toys are not appreciated, but as a parent, allowing the parents to choose toys for their children would be a much better idea.  Breaking the mindset that people experiencing low-income situations cannot be trusted is another bias to be shattered. 

Volunteering can take many forms.  Anyone can volunteer.  Anyone can join local boards such as the library, charitable organizations, and other community organizations.  Helping coach minor sports is another great way to influence and make your community better.  Even a few hours a week will make someone’s life a little better.  It is an opportunity to learn, build wider networks, and inspire yourself and those around you.  Most importantly you can start today to make a difference.

Sometimes it’s not about how far forward you go; it’s about how far backwards you don’t go.  This maxim can affect all of us.  Whatever organizations you belong to benefit from those people who help build them up.  They also suffer from those who engage in gossiping and undermining.  Challenge yourself to find ways to always be building people up, from family to your co-workers.  If you have an issue, find ways to constructively resolve the issue.  This is another way to make a difference starting today, and it doesn’t cost you anything.

Don’t be a bystander.  Get involved, if you don’t know how, it is as simple as calling 211 and asking about volunteering.  Age doesn’t matter when making a difference.  Children, students, seniors, and everyone in between.  Small or large gestures all contribute.  Being a mentor to a student, donating blood, and signing your license organ donor card are all possible and easy to accomplish.  Composting your food waste, recycling, re-using, reducing, and donating household items all help the environment.

So, what can one person do?  A lot.  Individually we cannot change the world; however, we can each help to change one person’s world.  Real change happens when more of us decide to make a difference.

We need your help,

Paul