Make the World

a Better Place

In a world where the news headlines are monopolized

by
war, death, abuse, destruction, crime, tragedy, and
scandal,
it is refreshing once in a while to hear good news.
Every now and then we come across accounts of
people
who have served as positive role models, done
something
constructive for their communities, donated their time
or money, performed random acts of kindness, or even
saved lives. Their stories inspire us and momentarily
give
us hope that the human spirit can still conquer. They
also
remind us that each of us can make a difference by
doing
our part to make the world a better place.
Two such people I know are Dave and Flo Wagner,
who have spent most of their adult lives helping
people
make a better life in impoverished countries around
the world. In their twenties, the Wagners did their fi rst
tour in the United States Peace Corps in Africa. Since
then they have been ac tively committed to promoting
en trepren eurship and ed ucating parents about HIV/
AIDS in developing nations throughout Southeast Asia,
Eastern Europe, and Africa, in cluding war-torn regions
like Ethiopia and Darfur.
Even after raising a large family and running
successful
businesses of their own, Dave and Flo—who are now
in their sixties—dedicate months and years at a time
to
traveling to remote villages for the sole purpose of
assisting
people in need. Making the world a better place has
become their life’s work—it is how they defi ne
themselves
as human beings. They receive no monetary rewards
or
public accolades. Yet this is what they see themselves
doing
for as long as they are physically able to do it. Doing
anything
else would create a huge void in their lives that
would inevitably lead to regret.
Making the world a better place means being a force
of goodness. It means being a giver, not a greed
monger.
It means shining your light on others without looking
for something in return. It means being a “mensch”—a
person who does good deeds—which in some cultures
is
considered the highest compliment you could ever pay
someone. Consider the extent to which you are a force
of goodness. Do you go out of your way to make other
people’s lives better? Do you volunteer or actively
support
a positive cause? Do you do your part to take care of
the
environment and reduce the amount of recyclable
waste
that goes to landfi lls? Do you reach out to others in
need?
Making the world a better place does not have to be
an overly complex or time-consuming process. Help
out a
friend who is hurting. Donate your extra “stuff ” to
charity.
Visit the elderly. Show compassion to a total stranger.
Make the commitment to recycle. Let people know
that
they are loved. Go beyond the call of duty. Leave your
legacy by making the world a better place.