6 posts tagged “making the world a better place”

this awesome website helps you learn new vocab words. for every word you correctly guess the meaning of, it will donate 20 grains of rice to the UN World Food Program. try it, it's fun!

i know that i have been largely silent over the past few months.  i haven't been ignoring you -- i really haven't.  i've just taken a break.

i'm not sure why i felt the need.  i was super busy, had a lot of reading, and a lot of thinking.  i took a philosophy class that made me think A LOT, and it made me realize how much more i have to learn.

so i've taken a break.  and i felt for a time that what i have worked so hard to establish here was just a big waste of time, like i hadn't really done anything.  but i feel energized again.  maybe i'm not doing a lot.  but i'm doing what i do best right now -- i'm publicizing other people's efforts at making the world a better place.  i'm forming networks and spreading the word about things i care about.  one day, i hope that passion will translate a little more concretely; i'll be able to solve problems and help people in a more tangible way.

so i am back.

i will do my best to update this blog more often, to comment on yours, and together -- i firmly believe -- we can make this world a better place.

"What if every time you shopped online a percentage of the sale went to your favorite nonprofit or school?"

Enter GoodShop. More than 100 stores (including Target, Macy's, The Gap, Best Buy, Nordstrom, PetSmart, Staples and Wal*Mart) have teamed up with GoodSearch to benefit nonprofit organizations that YOU choose.

The next time you're looking for a new book, computer, DVD, pair of shoes or clothing, go to GoodShop first.

"No username or password is required. Just designate your favorite charity or school, click on the store's logo from the GoodShop site, and then shop as you normally would.

You'll get the same great prices, but every time you place an order, you'll be supporting your favorite cause with donations that average around 3% of the sale but can exceed 20%!"

If you already do a lot of online shopping, here's a great way to get involved. Happy shopping!

I am going to be very honest and very vulnerable with you here. I consider you all very valuable friends with valuable opinions. For that, I wish to share what is on my heart. Please do not think this is some preachy guilt-trip; I do not think everyone thinks the same way I do and I do not think my way is right alone. I make no pretense and simply speak from my heart.

I care about the world. Perhaps more specifically, I care about people of the world. Every person on this earth is valuable and has a purpose. I have to believe that -- I cling to the hope in that. It is an intricate part of my Christian faith. I say that not as an evangelizing statement, but a solid part of me and who I am as a person.

I care also about justice. I can't bear to see injustice triumph in this world, yet I see it almost daily. Through my limited periscope of current affairs, my heart breaks for those who are being oppressed and yet no one will help them. I know there are still others out there, silently toiling away with no one to speak for them.

That is why I want to dedicate my life to helping others, specifically through journalism. Though I probably sound like an idealistic, naive college student with no concept of the real world (which I don't deny that I am), I have to cling to the hope that these stories will someday be told. By believing that every single human being is valuable, I believe that no one should suffer alone.

I realize I am only one person, probably not very skilled or special, but I cannot deny that this is my calling.

I have but one major adversary at this point in my journey: apathy. This past week, I have felt its crushing weight all around me. Its magnitude and reality have cast me into a sort of depression. I have questioned my future career, my motives, and especially myself -- not only my abilities, but who I am as a person. Do I really have what it takes? And if I did, would anyone really care?

What do you, my friends, make of this? Is it a foolish calling? Is there a chance in this world for hope to triumph? Do you believe that goodness really can overcome evil?

I am struggling. I nearly signed my life over to apathy this week. I know you may not believe me, but I really have struggled with this. But I know that world justice is my passion. It is in my blood. I really can't deny that.

So what do you think? A silly dream, or something the world desperately needs to hear? Can we really make a difference in a world of apathy, or have we already resigned ourselves to a fatalistic outlook that nothing will ever change?

Be honest with me. Be honest with yourself. Delete me from your friends if you want. Say whatever you must say. But above all else, be honest and ask the hard questions.

I guess this blog is not complete unless I offer a rebuttal to your post, Fire-breathing Butterfly. I say this in honesty and love. I do care about America, and its problem, and most of all its people. It also breaks my heart to see hard-working Americans struggling day-to-day, fighting bills and trying to make ends meet. Yes, there are a lot of demands on our money. Yes, it is hypocritical of celebrities to admonish us to give all of our money away for charity (as if they themselves were living modestly and doing the same). But just because we have problems does not necessarily mean we should ignore the rest of the world. I don't think we should funnel money into corrupt governments, but what about programs to change those corrupt governments so that the people there *can* help themselves? Why is it wrong for us to help children who are dying of preventable diseases, or enslaved to pay off family debt, or serving in corrupt armies of ruthless dictators? Is it wrong of me to want to help these children who have nowhere else to turn? America has many problems, that is true. We will always have problems, big or small; we will always have them. It is my strong conviction, however, that we are blessed. Though it is hard to see sometimes, we are still very blessed. I can't expect that this one blog will change your mind on this point. Even if I wrote a million blogs on this topic, I couldn't expect that to change your mind. But I still pray daily that we will open our eyes to see the blessings instead of the curses.

Does that make me a saint? Not likely. I'm just one humble truth seeker, trying to change the world. Will you join me?

i just found this site committed to bringing charitable opportunities to a manageable level. it gives suggestions for how to make a difference in 15 minutes, a few hours, or on vacation. these inspiring, flexible ideas might just change the world, even in a very small way. check it out!

ever been stumped for a gift? maybe you're shopping for an upcoming birthday, anniversary, wedding, or other holiday. or maybe you are trying to make your own list and you're thinking you have too much stuff already -- like you need more gift cards for places you never shop, things you never use, or knick-knacks... what do they do, anyway? i mean, those things all have their place... but what if you want something... more?

if you find yourself in such a predicament, fear not! Oxfam has the solution with Oxfam Unwrapped. you or your loved ones can choose from a wide selection of gifts to fight poverty and suffering worldwide. sounds "funusual", right? (FAQ)

these gifts support various strategies to fight poverty and suffering: economics, clean water and sanitation, education, health treatment and prevention, humanitarian and emergency work, and other such campaigning work. check out the interactive map to see specific areas of improvement.

you can sort by price or subject, or just browse around for whatever looks interesting. whatever you choose, you'll have the peace of mind that you are making the world a better place.