Helping People: Simple Ways To Make A Difference
Do A Good Deed For Free
1. Smile at someone you don't know.
2. Give someone a hug (someone who looks like they really need one).
3. Be a non-judgemental shoulder for someone going through some relationship heartbreak.
4. Apologize to someone you've had an argument with, even if you were right.
5. Tell someone they mean a lot to you (genuinely) to let them know you appreciate them.
6. Take the time to write or email someone you have not kept in touch with recently.
7. Say "Thank You" to someone who does something for you regularly, especially if it may seem to them like it's sometimes a thankless job.
8. Give someone a genuine compliment, just because. You'll both feel good about it.
9. Volunteer your time to help out with charity work.
10. Spend quality time with your grandparents (or parents). Even an elderly stranger in a nursing home. They will appreciate it more than you will know.
"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring: all of which have the potential to turn a life around."
- Leo Buscaglia
How Companies Can Help People
If you work for a company or a large corporation, you may be able to make a bigger impact in a shorter period of time if you have some spare income at your disposal. In Australia, all donations over $2 are tax deductible. It becomes a win-win situation.
Here are some suggestions on how you can make a difference and help people.
- Your team can sponsor a child (this could even be funded by a number of employees together, that way each individual will not have a large outlay and you will be able to help the sponsored child)
- Your company can offer a scholarship to a student to help them complete their education, perhaps with the offer of employment at the end of their studies. Often these students are extremely grateful and in time will make loyal employees to your organization.
- Donate second hand company vehicles (which are often "written off" the books anyways) to families who are in desparate need of private transport.
- Donate money to charities or hold regular "food & blanket collections" at your office.
- Help fund an upgrade to the local school or medical facility in the city or country you are currently working in (especially when work is being undertaken overseas in a third world country. This would cost a fraction of the price and make a bigger impact.)
Our small project team decided to give up their Christmas party last year and donate the funds collected throughout the year from soft drink can sales to victims of the recent Victorian Bushfires who lost everything. I thought this was an awesome and heart warming gesture from a bunch of otherwise typically "rough" concrete workers on site! I was very proud of them that day.
One Person Can Make A Difference (Awesome Video)
More Ways To Make A Difference
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Comments
Little things that cost nothing and can make an enormous difference, not only to others but to yourself.
Thumbs up!
- Author
Thanks Princessa! It's my favorite way to help other people.
This is such a nice thoughtful hub! Lately, I have been saying "I am well. Thank you. How are you?" to cashiers when they ask how I am. It is hard dealing wihth a grumpy public all day, if you are kind and considerate, even when you dont want to be, it can improve others moods and youll have a better day too!!
- Author
Hey there, yeah I do that as well but I try to pay them a personal compliment too sometimes, especially if they're looking fed up at dealing with customers after a long day. :)
If more people did this kind of stuff the world would be a much better place, Marco. Thank you
- Author
Thanks Tom. I agree, it doesn't take much at all if everyone does their little bit.
Love it! It really does feel great to help others...it's important to not only think of yourself in this world. Another suggestion would be to pick a cause that means something to you personally, not just something random (mine is cystic fibrosis because a good friend of mine has it). When you feel strongly about a cause, it's easier to want to get involved. Great hub!
Thank you for this message of love. I am going to do more than I have been to brighten up the days of my fellow mortals. Beautiful advice.
This is a beautiful Hub, Marco. Its the way, I think everyone should live their life. I love to make people smile. Thanks for sharing. (Like the layout of your Profile - the way you linked in some Hubs) :)
- Author
Interesting observation BC! Thanks for joining that club too :)
You are exactly right. I have spent some time with my granny at the nursing home and the wisdom the elders have with no one to talk to is astounding. Can you imagine being 92 years old what you have witnessed in this country. I love to hear their stories.
nice job
dori
Beautiful hub and great video! Great messege and very uplifiting.
I am finding that it only takes a moment to do something nice for someone else, and the biggest thing for me is to think how happy they will be that someone noticed them today. I am also finding, for those close to me, little gifts mean alot, even if it just a pretty rock to share with a child.
- Author
Thanks Dori & Jodi!
I find nursing homes heartbreaking, I used to go when my grandpa was there (don't have any grandparents left) but there are many elders and hardly any visitors. :( It is not a "cool" place to want to go if you're a child, but when you do go, it's uplifting for everyone there (including the staff) just to see new faces.
Over my lifetime I've seen the smallest of kindness create near miracles. Very nice hub!
Love this, marcofratelli. What great suggestions to live by. I really love the suggestion of visiting the elderly. I've done quite a lot of that, they are the most appreciative, but sadly underappreciated people. Seriously, what a cool hub.
- Author
Thanks for all the positive feedback! Wordscribe41, it's something I need to do more of. & thanks
Oh Marco this is just lovely it is great to read such a positive hub like this. xox
Wow, I do agree that they are very simple yet very effective. Great hub and thanks for sharing.
I can't believe I didn't get around to this inspirational hub until now! Just what I needed. I work in the "helping professions" and find myself bogged down by bureaucratic hurdles and funding limitations. As you showed here, even the little things (that really only cost us an ounce of thoughtfulness) can make a difference. Hope your company will continue to reach out to the community as you do here on HubPages.
- Author
Cheers peeps, I think everyone should try and get their companies to help out the communities they are working in. It's a win-win situation.
What a great hub! Our family is trying to prove that one person (well, family) can make a difference. We have been met with a lot of skeptism and reading your hub and the comments from others, I know we are doing the right thing. Thank you! :)
- Author
Thanks selkefam. You are definitely doing the right thing and I know that everyone you help will appreciate it more than you know.
I've had a look at your blog - it is wonderful the kinds of things you're doing. http://sf4america.webs.com/apps/blog/
A hub with such a great message! Thanks for writing it. It's so good that I reference this one from my hub. Blessings!
- Author
Thank you :)
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