To improve our local communities and where we live, we have to be part of the change. We can all do things that will help to improve or maintain good health and wellbeing of the area around us. You may think that what you do and your family’s actions don’t add up to much, but they do make a difference in the grand scheme of things. Making changes, and being part of that, helps because compassion and change are contagious. Doing these things matter because when one person uses their voice, it helps more and more people to use theirs too, and then change happens.
With all of that in mind, here are some things that you and your family can do to make sure that you are good members of your local community. You never know what kind of ripple effect it will have.
- Looking through certain things with more compassionate eyes makes a difference to start with. It starts with making an effort to help and reach out to someone local to you that is in need. You might see someone local struggling with their shopping, or have a neighbor that is pretty lonely, or a friend needs some more support with their children. Whatever it is, doing something at least gets things started and makes a difference. Small gestures can have a big impact.
- Just imagine how different things would be if everyone respected each, even if they have differences. Start off with respect, and teaching children respect, and it will make a big difference. It is something really simple, but will make the difference between peace or not.
- The communities that we live in are going to be pretty diverse places. Bonds can be formed as we step in and come together, in order to support other people in the local community, as well as other people and families in the community. If you’re able to, think about volunteering your time; it can help you to meet new people at the same time. You may have qualifications to be able to help with child advocacy in your area, or other worthy causes that need activists or advocates. It can be a good idea to get involved with things like food drives, soup kitchens, and donate what you can to local causes and school events, for example. When you involve your children with what you are doing, it can help them to learn from a young age that these kinds of things are normal to do.
Each person and family is accountable for what they do in their life and have their own conscience to help them to live more responsibly. You can’t say that you don’t judge people that live near you, if you then go ahead and do just that. Don’t claim to be tolerant and accepting, if you actually act untowards to those in your community that are different to yourself. Practice what you preach, and it will make a difference for your whole family.
