Humanity to Itself: “What have you done for me lately?”
“Rabbi Avi: You should be VERY VERY PROUD of what you have already accomplished and thank you for making this world a better place.” – In a chat with Rabbi Avi Rubenfeld
I was humbled by that comment by Rabbi Avi. How often do we hear that from another person? Well, for me, not that often at all. I’m not sure what that says about me, or if it says more about the people with whom I associate. Either way, it got me thinking. What HAVE I done to make the world a better place???
Is it the big things in a society, or the small that have the most impact? In my opinion, it’s both…kind of….maybe…. Obviously, discoveries like finding the cure to Polio or the miracle of Penicillin have impacted humanity in ways we may never know. Who knows at what stage society would be had those discoveries not been made. Perhaps hundreds of millions would have perished and we would still be fighting for our very existence. Living in sterile environments, a simple non-social life, in barricaded homes… That wouldn’t be much of a life, now would it? We should be, and I am sure are, thankful for all the marvelous scientific discoveries made for the betterment of mankind.
What about organizations like NATO, the United Nations, Greenpeace and Amnesty International? They are all good organizations, and have played their respective parts in the welfare of the inhabitants of this big glue marble we call earth. PETA advocates on behalf of animals and the World Health Organization on behalf of humans. Numerous organizations such as the Red Cross, Red Crescent and a plethora or religious and secular groups donate countless millions of dollars and tens of thousands of hours annually of volunteer hours for disaster and medical relief.
Governments play a large role in the daily lives of each of us (whether or not we espouse their ideologies). Welfare programs, social security, socialized medicine…all worthy plans of social justice and equity. The militaries of nation-states provide security and facilitate the will of their respective governments (democratic, autocratic, and theocratic alike). Everything from your local municipal government, to government at the national level, all play a part in helping each of us on a daily basis.
Each of us has a role and responsibility, or should I say at least a part, in the success or failure, joy or misery, peace or conflict of society as a whole. We vote, we attend civic meetings and attend synagogue, church, mosque or temple. Even those who don’t participate in government or religious activities, still have an integral part in humanity’s destiny. What really makes a difference, at the primal level, in the happiness of each of us? Is it all of the aforementioned things? Sure. But from my perspective, it’s really the small things that make a difference to us as individuals on a daily basis. It’s a smile offered to a stranger, opening a door for a physically challenged person, reading to your children, offering to “house sit” for a neighbor on vacation. Small kindnesses go a long way in making a person happy. Interestingly, seeing the look on a person’s face when you do something unexpected says something about how infrequently we make these efforts. Have you ever paid attention to another person’s reaction when you surprise them by doing something kind that he or she wasn’t expecting? It’s almost as if you’ve done something wrong, or that you have an ulterior motive. Perhaps some people do, in fact, act with subterfuge. Hopefully you aren’t one of those people.
How do small acts of kindness actually make the world a better place? I don’t know; they just do. How does the Internet really work – with websites, email, chat rooms, etc…? I don’t know; it just does. How does a missile know how to reach its target? I don’t know; it just does. Making the world a better place isn’t a pipe dream or a futile endeavor. If you happen to be one of the scientists, religious or political leaders who will make a significant positive impact on a global scale, I commend and appreciate your efforts. If you’re one of the 7 billion others walking around on this plant, simply living as good a life as you can, I commend and appreciate you as well. Life is a struggle, as we all know. Do something positive, kind and unexpected. See what kind of response you get. Of course there will be people who are cantankerous and negative, so what? Be happy and keep being positive. See what kind of impact it has on your happiness.
So, back to my original question – What have I done to make the world a better place? “I try.” That’s the best way to sum up what I’ve done. I’m not always successful, but I do my best to be kind, understanding, and to help when I can. I’ll probably never be one of those people on the “world stage”. I guess I prefer the local “playhouse” instead. Start with oneself…with kindness and appreciation of the good you have to offer. Regardless of your religion or belief system, there are central themes of “love thy neighbor as thyself.” So, open that door for an elderly person, smile at the person at the bus stop, wave at the postman, offer to help a neighbor with a project, hug your friends and relatives…a simple “thank you” could make a persons day. Even if you don’t get the response you hoped for, at least you should be happier for trying.
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