I’m sure we have all had the desire to serve overseas, organize a rally for cancer, or protest the injustices around us. The problem is we often can’t fit these things into our busy schedules. However, with today’s technology, you might be surprised by what you can do to change the world before your coffee break is over. Armed with the desire to change the world no matter how busy life got, I came up with these five ways to make a difference in under five minutes.
1. Sign Online Petitions
This is a great way to make your voice heard concerning issues that matter to you, and it can be done anytime and anywhere. There are plenty of petition-hosting sites out there that allow people from all over to sign petitions that aim to change an injustice. It’s as simple as choosing a cause and supporting it. I have signed dozens of petitions on Change.org for animal rights, human trafficking, and many other causes. It is so rewarding to receive an email from a petitioner explaining how the thousands of signatures received helped to get laws passed that would change lives.
2. Buy from Good Sources
Believe it or not, you probably have a lot of clothing in your closet that was made in sweatshops, and you have likely purchased from companies who don’t have sustainable practices. Is there anything you can do about it? Well, it only takes a few minutes to research which companies are the most ethical and environmentally conscious. You only have to do the research once, but you can buy from the right companies forever. There are a lot of great guides on the internet that can help you decide who to buy from and who to avoid.
3. Help Clean up the Environment
Making our world cleaner starts with people taking small steps such as bringing a trash bag with them when visiting parks or beaches. My fiancé and I always take five minutes before a picnic or a beach day to clean up garbage, making our recreational area more beautiful while helping sustain the natural environment. When you start giving up a few minutes of your time to help the environment, you just might see other people begin to follow your example.
4. Sponsor a Child
For less than $40 per month, you can change the life of a child in a third world country. For the average American, that amount of money doesn’t mean much. For a sponsored child, it means food, education, loving support, medical care, and so much more. There are multiple organizations you can sponsor children through such as World Vision, Save the Children, and Compassion International. Since I started sponsoring Kevin, a 12-year-old boy in Indonesia, I always look forward to getting his letters in the mail telling me about school and his dreams for the future. Knowing that I’m changing Kevin’s life is worth every penny.
5. Open Your Eyes
Perhaps the biggest way to start changing the world is to begin changing yourself. Start making yourself aware of the injustices around you, and then take a step against them. The revolution inside me started when I became conscious about my health, where my food and products come from, and what is going on in the environment. Knowledge is your greatest power to make a difference in the world. Having a hectic lifestyle is no excuse not to make a difference because the people who truly desire change will find a way.
These are just a few examples of how even the busiest person can make a difference. Can you really change the world like this? Maybe you can’t do much alone, but every revolution starts with just a few minds, and that revolution has already begun. Do you want to be a part of it? I have made a conscious decision to make a difference, and taking these small steps has inspired others around me to do the same when they see what they can do within their busy schedules. So, during your next coffee break or when you go relax at the park with your family, take just a few minutes to make a difference in our world.
