What do you do to make the world a better place?

r/

What do you do to make the world a better place?

Comments

  1. Childoftheway Avatar

    I feed the local strays.

  2. hunk981 Avatar

    I try to spread kindness, even in small ways, because sometimes a smile or a compliment can make someone’s whole day better!

  3. upsidayz Avatar

    voting politicians wisely

  4. IvyFiercee Avatar

    Honestly? I just try not to make it worse. Be kind to people, pick up after myself, vote, and mind my own business. It’s not revolutionary but it adds up.

  5. No_Administration662 Avatar

    I don’t physically injured people when I’m angry.

  6. Ill_Cry_9439 Avatar

    Whatever I can within reason 

  7. PassiveJerker Avatar

    Feed eight cats and a hedgehog

  8. Rich-Painter-9356 Avatar

    Keep plastic wrapper or discarded paper in pocket until I find dustbin.

  9. blckrainbow Avatar

    Keep to myself

  10. PseudoStonk Avatar

    Change my career to be a doctor to save ppl

  11. duckwafer357 Avatar

    mind my own house and do not try to make other live or believe as I do.

  12. McRibs2024 Avatar

    Put effort into being a good father to raise good kids

  13. SuccessfulPie873 Avatar

    Teach my children about kindness and about understanding and respecting other differences from ours. We don’t have to love everyone and we don’t have to all agree on the same things but we should be kind to them and respect their beliefs and opinions.

  14. Foxler2010 Avatar

    Try to see things from their perspective. It doesn’t always work out, but hey, we’re only human

  15. SomeBodybuilder9635 Avatar

    Sleep. It’s my only escape.

  16. notarealquokka Avatar

    Donate to effective charities (not vanity projects started by unemployable idiots) now that I’m able to. I love knowing that I can make a difference in people’s lives. Biggest ego boost ever.

    And I don’t fart in elevators. Most of the time.

  17. Lexi_Barbie Avatar

    I help who I can

  18. WhiskeyAM_CoffeePM Avatar

    I put my shopping cart away.

    Also, I don’t let someone’s politics dictate the tone or substance of my conversations with them.

  19. freedjr Avatar

    Give blood.

  20. Correct_Cup_6478 Avatar

    I’m going back to school to do an emergency management degree for disaster relief.

  21. digitalnomad_ninja Avatar

    I’m kind, polite and respectfull with all the unknow person in the streets. I do what have to be done. I do return the shop kart to its original place when I finish. I throw garbage in the trash bin even if its not my trash. I raise my childrens to do the same.

  22. PaysItForward Avatar

    Big and small things- monetary donations to good causes. Smile at strangers, hold door, compliment others, give time/listening space, wave in traffic during lane changes, volunteer at schools, started a food & clothing pantry at a title 1 school.

  23. CanisArgenteus Avatar

    A minor thing, I pick up some litter. I have a few parks nearby, patches of woods with trails. One day I came upon someone’s four-person lunch break, just a frigging mess of containers and plastic cutlery and all the garbage attached to that just strewn all over the trail and flora… WITH THE EMPTY BAG THEY BROUGHT IT IN SITTING. RIGHT. THERE. So I used the bag to bag that trash and all the rest I found while walking back to civ and a garbage can. Now every time I go, if I spot a plastic bag I put it to use, and that happens almost every visit.

  24. bluesushi Avatar

    write poetry and give it away for free to spread messages! here is my book “THE UNIVERSE IS POETRY!”

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1YNjUc8_VYtq6c9_2bItrD33Q_tgek2yQ/view

  25. IampresentlyKyle Avatar

    I fix my local community. That included getting homeless people a place to live, helping addicts get sober, showing special needs people how to support themselves and teaching the next generation how to be helpers.

    I also do animal rescues and volunteer at the food bank.

  26. 3vibe Avatar

    Small ways to spread positivity and just try to be a good empathetic person.

  27. jeffereeee Avatar

    Teach kindness, love and acceptance instead of religion.

  28. LunaSol3003 Avatar

    Be moral in every thought, word, and deed. If ever I slip, I tell myself to be better and work on being purer, more peaceful. It’s a lifelong learning journey. Peace on earth is heaven on earth.🙏

  29. GiantMags Avatar

    Recycle plastic grocery bags.

  30. Notimetowrite76 Avatar

    I feed the squirrels and birds, I also make sure fresh water is available for them and I put out water daily for dogs on walks.

  31. ChunkyFart Avatar

    Return shopping carts to the stall in the parking lot. Pick up liter, with in reason.

  32. imb0jack Avatar

    Bad comedic relief

  33. ElectionDesigner3792 Avatar

    I work in a career devoted to helping some of the most marginalized people in my society. The pay is okay but I could have got far more in the private sector and been exposed to far less trauma.

  34. scorpio27102 Avatar

    I’m not sure how to explain this, but like someone said here, try not to make it worse. There’s enough shit in the world that I don’t want to add to it. I think the biggest thing I do is listen to people.

    I’ve been yelled at by many people, harassed, etc. but I always listened to whoever was giving me negativity. Because I know it wasn’t directed at me— I’m a good person and I do good in my community (I’ve been a labor rights activist in my community and helped people with issues in their workplaces). I don’t argue with people. So I know there’s really no ammunition against me.

    That being said, when someone is mad or angry I listen. Yes, there’s been times where my feelings get hurt, and plenty of times where I have to put my foot down to stop someone from being excessively terrible to me or someone else.

    But nine times out of 10, listening to the person, I’m able to figure out what the true issue is. Sometimes the issue is just that that person doesn’t have an emotional outlet— so I offer it to them. Sometimes the issue is bigger or something else. So I try to help if that’s possible.

    The same goes for people who are sad. Just simply listening to people brings someone an immense amount of joy and relief.

    And no, I am not a pushover. Far from it, actually. I just understand people and find the beauty in people’s emotions. It’s kind of beautiful, or artistically tragic, or however you want to view it that different things that happen to us make us feel specific types of ways.

    So I find the beauty in that, and always try to act with grace and kindness. I give the benefit of the doubt. And of course, everything I say is within reasonable boundaries.

    I also used to have a huge victim complex, but then I realized it’s not me vs the world. It’s me vs myself. That, as well as acknowledging that everyone is “them vs. themself” brings a lot of perspective to me.

    i guess long story short, practicing empathy. i can’t tell you how many times people have told me that they told me something they’ve never told anyone, i brought them comfort when they didn’t have it, etc. Just listen and respond with kindness. We have enough “enemies” in this world, such as daily stressors, financial problems, political problems, whatever. And I just try not to add to someone else’s burden that they already have to carry as a result of their humanity.

  35. RandomCashier75 Avatar

    Already donated blood a lot of times before epilepsy started, but will do other things I can to help if possible.

    Getting your head shaved to raise money for childhood cancer patients is just as valid as donating clothing to veteran’s charities if they don’t fit.

  36. anon11670219 Avatar

    Fix instruments to donate to kids

  37. DishwashingUnit Avatar

    if i think a narrative is being pushed on reddit I do my best to push back in spite of the onslaught of insults, logical fallacies, and gaslighting, often from bots I assume, that this attracts.

     my goal isn’t to win the argument, it’s to make it more obvious that the other party isn’t arguing in good faith. I’m never actually talking to the other person, they’re either a bot or somebody who has been coerced into acting against humanities best interests.

    astroturfing is real. they’re trying to turn social media into corporate media 2.0 and it’s not acceptable. don’t let them turn this into CNN.

    I probably don’t get it right all the time, but it doesn’t matter. if people don’t think for themselves and speak up, corporate interests will dominate the narrative here just as it does on TV, the radio, and in print. don’t permit it people!

  38. Iminurcomputer Avatar

    Stay inside. Don’t talk to anyone. Minimize knowledge of my existence. The world gets a little bit worse whenever I open my mouth.

  39. ohwhereareyoufrom Avatar

    I joke with angry and rude cashiers to make them laugh and make them less angry so they won’t ruin the day of tens of people they see that day 🙂 Y’ALL ARE WELCOME

  40. Negative_Suspect_180 Avatar

    Just be a nice person, ask people how they’re doing, smile, and offer help when I can.

    You don’t have to be a crusader of good in the world lol. We only control one player in this world and that’s ourselves. As long as we all have a good attitude, smile often and help when it’s needed around us that alone will change the world for the better.

    No one person can improve the entire world, but you can always improve yourself and if we all do that, the world improves

  41. malthusius Avatar

    I raise money for an NGO for my job. Helps offset my morally reprehensible nature.

  42. SnuggleBunni69 Avatar

    Teach public middle school in Harlem. Figure it balances out the rest of my deviancy.

  43. gryphaeon Avatar

    Be the change I want to see, lead by example, and from the front.

  44. InsidePlenty4044 Avatar

    Cut up those plastic things that come on a 6 pack

  45. kcl97 Avatar

    I would build attics.

    e: nice and roomy that can accommodate a whole family.

  46. Miserable_Test5514 Avatar

    I volunteer a Lot in humanitarian sectoe, i do donate.

  47. BlueEllipsis Avatar

    Make yourself a better person, especially by being kinder to the people around you.

  48. tweetybird400 Avatar

    Honesty and kindness. Caring and a good heart

  49. Top_Concentrate_8957 Avatar

    The only thing you can do is the opposite of what everyone does that causes the problem. We all are capable of being evil or kind it’s a daily choice to make

  50. Mousey_Belle_1996 Avatar

    Kindness cost nothing. Small gestures can go a long way.

  51. ZugzwangNC Avatar

    Honestly? I think simply not electing convicted felon criminals to lead countries would go a long way.

  52. FloppyDickStabiliser Avatar

    I work in renewable energy, rescue dogs and won’t be having children. That’s all I can think of

  53. DV_GO Avatar

    I try to be the support for people i didn’t have

  54. heathen16 Avatar

    Spay and neuter all the neighborhood strays I can catch, vote in every election, plant pollinator gardens, don’t use insecticide or herbicides, donate to smaller charities that don’t get public attention, try to minimize my waste in general, buy local organic produce when possible and pwn noobs in pvp (wow) 😂.

  55. spleencheesemonkey Avatar

    Pick up other people’s litter.

  56. GladdBagg Avatar

    I donate plasma.

  57. thewoodbeyond Avatar

    I try to leave people better off than how I found them.

  58. Kid__A__ Avatar

    I’m a teacher. Nuff said.

  59. Sunstang Avatar

    I make stuff that’s inaccessible more accessible so people with disabilities can have jobs and independence.

  60. OutlandishnessAny183 Avatar

    Work in the Addictions field.

  61. HollowedOutMan Avatar

    I will say hello to anyone that makes eye contact with me. Most people respond in kind. I hold doors for anyone if I can. It takes seconds to extend those curtseys to people.

  62. Benderton Avatar

    I put people’s heads back together on a computer

  63. Smack2k Avatar

    Stay away from everyone.

  64. Dramatic_Phlegmatic Avatar

    Be kind to the people around you.

  65. majikbrew Avatar

    Eat a vegetarian diet, don’t have kids, drive an EV, and reduce consumption spending. And have some empathy (assume you’re wrong on every issue and honestly try to understand the opposing viewpoint).

  66. truemore45 Avatar

    Well I try a bit of everything from helping people get jobs to helping my fellow vets. I accidentally made an off grid house (long story). I’m building affordable housing. I try to educate people on everything from politics to renewables energy.

    Sorta the spray and pray approach.

  67. johnny-tiny-tits Avatar

    Not enough. I take in the occasional stray cat, and I maintain a yard that give bees and other insects space to do their things. Donate to charity occasionally. Try to recycle but I’m not perfect about it. I’ve been to two protests in the last two months, but that should really be more. Does harassing and shaming fascists online, and giving them the middle finger whenever I can in real life, make the world a better place? I’d like to think it does. Seems like we might be coming to a moment where I need to do drastically more, likewise to my fellow Americans, to keep our country from becoming a truly terrible place, so that’s….something.

    Man, this ended up being a real bummer of a question for some reason.

  68. subprincessthrway Avatar

    I volunteer two day per week at a local food pantry. Im also on our fundraising and development committee, and help out with the admin side of things. It’s truly one of the biggest joys in my life

  69. TheAzothan Avatar

    My job has me going into the homes of mostly elderly people. (HVAC) The number of people who have just lost their husband or wife… it’s truly heartbreaking stuff. I just give them time and space to talk about their lives. Ask about their partners/lost loved ones. The relief they feel at being allowed to just be sad and not be OK for a moment, is palpable. It makes my calls last longer, but it’s worth it.

    There’s a neighborhood stray named Waffles. They kinda “own” the complex we live in. I set out a little sheltered area with food and water. Warm covered kitty bed inside a tarped off corner of my patio. I just worry for them when we get snow and rain and freezing cold nights.

    We have to take care of each other. If it is to be, it’s up to me.

  70. No_Abbreviations7366 Avatar

    I’m liberal with my upvotes. Joking aside it’s nice to see your comments and positivity for a change!

  71. Bright-Knowledge1481 Avatar

    Be kind and a smile goes a long way, everywhere in the world I’ve been I just smile at random people and guess what, they smile back. A smile is worth a lot nowadays 🙂

  72. Chruisser Avatar

    Pay it forward, the local coffee shop drive-thru is a great place to buy a $15 gift card and then tell the cashier to keep it for paying drinks for the people behind you.

    It’s also extremely easy to exceed people’s expectations when we’re so divided. The bar is extremely low, especially in Northern states and metro areas like NYC. Hold the door open, look people in the eyes and smile, say please and thank you, get off the damn phone in public…the sincerest basics to chivalry…

  73. SilvercatPrime Avatar

    Recycle and be kind to people mostly. I sometimes donate to help poor families and nature orgs. Just anything I can do really.

  74. wrexmason Avatar

    Like Michael Jackson said…Heal the world. For you, and for me, and the entire human race

  75. FabiusBill Avatar

    I host monthly potlucks for people in my community.

    I provide a free hospitality table at outdoor events so folks have access to shade, sunscreen, water, food, first aid supplies, and a place to sit.

    I teach virtual, online classes in sustainability and low-cost living in my spare time, including lists of places for folks to find these resources in their local community.

  76. carsont5 Avatar

    Though it more or less comes naturally to me – I do make a conscious effort to be kind and engaging with folks, especially those in retail, food services and such. There are so many dicks out there I want to be one of the good ones.

  77. komokasi Avatar

    Be kind. Spread facts and knowledge, teach others, protest to be the voice for those that can’t, donate to organizations when possible, and when I can volunteer at mutal aid and food for those in need type orgs

  78. NoDirt3291 Avatar

    I didn’t have children. I still can but I still won’t.

  79. Diver245 Avatar

    My job. I take care of shelter animals. Dogs and cats.

  80. nuh_uh_nova Avatar

    I heal the wounds the broken generations before me gave me so I don’t fuck up the people around me.

  81. griddleharker Avatar

    be kind to people. stand up for human rights wherever i can

  82. Kmlmhls Avatar

    I try to treat others how I wanna be treated

  83. ladyxochi Avatar

    I raise my boys to respect boundaries.

  84. magusmccormick Avatar

    I don’t automatically kill a bug or insect when I see it. I also move turtles out of the road in whatever direction they’re headed

  85. CrimsonYllek Avatar

    I fight health insurance companies to overturn denials and get hospitals (and by extension their patients) paid.

  86. Efficient-Respect-19 Avatar

    I teach kids. Hold doors. Say thank you and please. Try not to be a dick.

  87. corgidaisies Avatar

    I try to be kind to others, pick up after myself, etc. im a therapist, so i try my best to help my clients. Not the world, but hey people are part of the world.

  88. SeaworthinessTop255 Avatar

    I work full time as a crisis counselor. Most of my days are spent talking to suicidal clients and safety planning.

  89. Tonythetiger1775 Avatar
  90. saltofthearth2015 Avatar

    I am nice to people for no reason. I randomly compliment people. I say please and thank you. I offer help when I think it’s needed. Little things.

  91. Total-Improvement535 Avatar

    Pick up trash when I find it in parking lots or scattered in a store and put it in a trash can.

    Giving money to people on street corners/intersections when I can

  92. 71stAsteriad Avatar

    I work with the homeless to get them benefits, ID documents, treatment, and eventually housing. I also garden

  93. footinmouthwithease Avatar

    Be kind, stand up for what you believe. Stand up for people who can’t. Don’t be a jerk.

  94. 69LadBoi Avatar

    I encourage people and tell them I believe in them. I try to do this at least once a day. I also give compliments to people.

  95. Visual_Virus_2062 Avatar

    Get rid of all shitty humans. Good ones can stay.

  96. maddisonlovesu Avatar

    lets all sleep 8hrs a day

  97. Specialist_Newt1192 Avatar

    Let people merge, don’t tailgate, be good to motorcycles. Keep my mouth shut when I disagree. Donate when I can.

  98. EverySingleMinute Avatar

    Automatically donate to 6 charities each month.
    Treat people well.
    Pay my employees well above market rates
    Tip well
    Live with a philosophy that I don’t care what people do as long as they are not hurting anyone else

  99. juliotendo Avatar

    Being a man and don’t apologize for it. 

  100. Bastyra2016 Avatar

    I retired from the heartless corporate world and promptly started volunteering with Habitat for Humanity. So far I have completed 5 houses working on the sixth (the Chapter has built more than 80). I get to work with the homeowners and their friends and family. It is much more rewarding than endless pivot tables.

    I also find sometimes niche charities to support. I donate to Kiva that uses donations to make loans to people to improve their family’s lives (think buy supplies for a store or buy a cow or chickens so they can sell the milk/eggs). The recipients then pay back to loan over time. You get updates on how their project is progressing as they repay the loan.

    Otherwise I try not to be an asshole and make other peoples lives harder just because I could be a sick about things when they don’t go exactly right

  101. SausageLinks77 Avatar

    Being kind to others; it costs nothing and kindness is the way to someone’s heart.

  102. Rebirth_of_wonder Avatar

    Divorced dad of three here. At the time of my divorce, I considered moving to a different part of the country. A fresh start – right?

    But that would mean that I would see my kids for holidays only and some other guy would end up being their stepdad. Fuck that shit.

    Stay present in the kids’ lives. Be an incredible dad, even (especially) when it’s hard.

  103. DrMcDingus Avatar

    I care for the sick and try to teach my kids values. Do I consider myself to be a specially good person? No.

  104. MrEHam Avatar

    Keep a large distance between me and the car in front of me on the highway.

  105. flopoyamin84b Avatar

    Planting trees in my area.

  106. Wild-Bill-H Avatar

    I have severely reduced my carbon footprint with solar panels, passive solar heat, reduced driving, bicycle riding, recycling, trying to buy locally grown and crafted, xeriscaping to save water. I also volunteer to help people and animals. I eat mostly vegetarian.

  107. Academic-Thought2462 Avatar

    just trying to be kind the best I can and educate people.

  108. Main_Mortgage3896 Avatar

    I’m an overnight caregiver at a house with two disabled residents. Every time I go to work, I bring the staff that I’m relieving a hot chocolate. And every week I buy flowers from the sale bin and put them in a vase on the resident’s kitchen table. I’ve been doing this for the past two years. They’re small things but it boosts morale and my coworkers always look forward to that cup of hot chocolate at the end of their shift.

  109. mmh_fava_beans Avatar

    Minding my own business.

  110. rembut Avatar

    Keep to myself and mind my own business.

  111. SvLyfe Avatar

    Not partake in it

  112. HonoluluLongBeach Avatar

    I’m kind to those I’m around.

  113. apeelvis Avatar

    I sold my company and retired 12 years ago at the age of 45. I have spent the last few years working at an elementary school helping kids in math and science. Young kids need more mentors. So if you have time and the energy working at a school is a ton of fun!

  114. Sirlacker Avatar

    I try to leave places the same as or better than when I got there.

  115. Charlibunny_xx Avatar

    Help out as much as I can

  116. tulipshakur Avatar

    I teach people about gardening, protecting our environment and saving our pollinators as a Master Gardener.

  117. dma1965 Avatar

    Organic gardening and I grow from seeds and end up with more seedlings than I need and I give them away to people. I also save seeds and contribute them to my local library that has a seed bank where people bring seeds and they are free for anyone who wants them. I also can my food and teach others how to do it.

  118. betterthaneukaryotes Avatar

    Not cause others harm through action directed toward them

  119. BackgroundGrass429 Avatar

    Try to raise my kids and grandkids to have a sense of purpose and responsibility. As well as being critical thinkers.

  120. Active_Reception_483 Avatar

    My grandma and I like to bake muffins together and every so often we’ll take the extra ones and give it out to construction workers.

    They’re always working near the grocery store where we shop so it’s like a ten minute walk.

  121. Ladida745 Avatar

    I just focus on my life

  122. IdreamOfPizzaxx Avatar

    I’m kind to everyone I meet, even people who come at me with a bad attitude. You never know what people are going through.

  123. Fenelasa Avatar

    Joined a local volunteer group to plants trees and do urban park beautification, take trash bags on hikes and pick up litter, share as much kindness as I can through my main public facing job. Planting a small garden on my tiny back porch and participate in local events and actively search for local alternatives to massive corporations when I can.

    I struggle a lot with being so limited in what I can do in the grand scheme of things, but impacting my local community is actionable and helps in little ways at least.

  124. Lopsided-Impact2439 Avatar

    Give respect. Be respectful to people. To the natural world. If everyone did this it would be a better place

  125. Ima-Derpi Avatar

    I stay away from other people as much as possible and mind my own business. It’s made my life a lot better.

  126. MaggieNFredders Avatar

    I do my best to be kind.

  127. 0nnaroll Avatar

    I help people with disabilities (ASD and IDD) obtain social validity. It is simple to do really, just treat them like anyone else. Educating the public is the hard part.

  128. Kulmatympss Avatar

    Not really impactful and no one would notice if I wouldn’t do it, but take pictures and make reviews on google maps.

  129. jac1964 Avatar

    Be kind and respect everyone I come in contact with.

  130. demdareting Avatar

    I say please and thank you as a common courtesy, shovel neighbors driveway in winter, pick up trash in and around my neighborhood, and stay out of other people’s business.

  131. bumblebeetown Avatar

    Always try to leave a bathroom as clean as you found it.

  132. ForRealNotAScam Avatar

    Pickup cigarette butts.

    Was a smoker for years and was a dick about it in my younger years always tossing them out of cars and in more secluded places.

    I make an effort now to spend some time picking them up

  133. AAanonymousse Avatar

    I’m active on r/mentalhealth to support people because I’ve been there before.

  134. Haifisch2112 Avatar

    Stay out of it and stay at home.

  135. kremepuffzs Avatar

    Stay away from ppl

  136. Keeponkeepingon22 Avatar

    Try to complement people on little things.

    It’s not much but it makes some people’s day.

    I hope

  137. bye-serena Avatar

    Put the shopping cart back in their actual spots at the supermarket after loading my groceries into my car.

  138. goosehomeagain Avatar

    Heal. This world traumatizes all of us in one way or another. Hurt people hurt people. Healed people heal people. It’s cliché, but it is excruciatingly true.

  139. victiniweeny Avatar

    whenever i see a stranger, and a compliment comes into my head, i say it out loud. i always tell pretty strangers that i think they’re pretty. i tell toddlers with cool shoes that i think their shoes are SOO cool. small things

  140. Mellotime Avatar

    I give a stranger a genuine compliment. It makes me feel good and I think it makes them feel good.