Day Twenty-Seven. Do Something, Anything, to Help Make the World Better

You need only look around you to see problems in the world, problems caused largely by humans. The goal of critical thought is to improve how we think and how we act both in our personal lives and in relationship to others. As such, insofar as you are a critical thinker, you want to improve the quality of life on Earth. When you think critically, there are implications for how you treat and relate to others. You can contribute to a more just and sane world in many ways. From an ethical viewpoint, each of us is obligated to help others who are incapable of helping themselves. Each of us is ethically charged with doing what we can to improve the quality of life, both of humans and of other creatures susceptible to pain and suffering.

“You will find that the mere resolve not to be useless, and the honest desire to help other people, will, in the quickest and delicatest ways, improve yourself.”

—Ruskin

Be on the lookout for...

...opportunities to improve the quality of life on Earth. Make a list of all the things you do currently to contribute to others’ lives, or to the health of the Earth. Notice what others around you do. Do those around you contribute to a more just world, or do they mainly serve themselves? Make a list of some additional things you can do. Think about how you can fit into your schedule or your life some new ways of contributing. If you don’t have a lot of time to spare, think about making greater financial contributions—but do something.

Strategies for contributing to a more just world

• Carefully select a group that is organized to contribute to a better world. Many groups fight for justice in the world, for improved conditions, and for the alleviation of pain and suffering. Choose from local, national, and international groups. Select one and get involved—even if this means only sending money.

• Think about your circle of influence and act, using that influence to help others. For example, can you improve the quality of life for the people you work with? What about the people you live with? Work to create environments, wherever you can, where people help people. Notice how much you give to others and how much you take or demand for yourself.

• Discover your strengths, and use those strengths to contribute in any way you can. If you are good at writing, you might write letters to newspaper editors. If you have other special talents, use them to contribute to a better world. Everything, however little, counts.

• Most important of all, read widely and critically well-researched books on a range of world problems. You might be surprised to see how many world problems exist precisely because greed, selfishness, and vested interests dominate world resources.

• Work toward improving the lives of sentient (feeling) creatures. Notice how often people exploit these animals to serve their interests. Look into how cattle and “livestock” are treated by people in your culture. Research the living conditions of these animals. Go in with your eyes wide open. Let your interpretations and inferences be guided by the truth, not what you want to believe.