Day 365 – December 31st – You Can Change The World

I’ve posted a lot previously with support and advice for self-improvement. Essentially, I’ve suggested various things that you can try – whether it is a physical action or a new view of thinking about things – to better you and those around you. Now I want you to put these things into action.

People seem to think that they alone cannot bring about any change; that they are simply a drop in the ocean, obsolete and not important; that they cannot change the world. I, however, disagree with this. If everybody held the same frame of mind, then nothing would ever get done, but only because nobody would ever try. Okay, so you alone might not be able to do anything that you regard as significant, but somebody, somewhere, will benefit. And, in a cumulative effort, we can achieve greater things. There is so much potential in people, but all too often it is wasted because they do not believe in themselves.

Self-belief is certainly at the core of it all. That’s what I’ve been trying to give people. After all, you can do so much. You might not think that your efforts are important, but every little helps. You don’t do things simply to earn acknowledgement; you shouldn’t anyway. You should act because what you’re doing is what you want to do; what you love to do. That should be enough reward for your actions.

Okay, so it still may not seem that you’re changing the world. After all, drastic and significant change hasn’t resulted from your actions. That’s not what it’s all about, though. Everything starts from something small; a seed that then grows and flourished into something grand and amazing. It doesn’t really matter what you’re doing – the grandness of your actions – as long as you’re doing something. Plant that seed so that it may start to grow. Inspire others to start helping, too. Do something that will allow others to act; to give them the opportunity to also help.

It most definitely is possible to change the world, but only if you act. You’ve got to start somewhere, so why not the small things? Do whatever you can. You’ve got to start some time, so why not today?

Day 364 – December 30th – National Geographic Society

The National Geographic Society is one of the largest non-profit scientific and educational institutions in the world. Formed in 1888, its historical mission is “to increase and diffuse geographic knowledge while promoting the conservation of the world’s cultural, historical, and natural resources“, with its purpose even today being to inspire people to care about their planet.

The interests of the Society include geography, archaeology and natural science, the promotion of environmental and historical conservation, as well as the study of world culture and history. They run projects in areas such as exploration, education and conservation.

The Society publishes an official journal, National Geographic Magazine, as well as other magazines, books and other publications, such as maps and atlases. The magazine is known for containing some of the highest quality photojournalism in the world, with stunning and beautiful photographs featuring in each issue. A published book, ‘National Geographic: The Photographs‘, contains an extensive collection of some of the very best images that have appeared.

‘National Geographic Channel‘, first launched in 1997, is a television channel that that airs documentary programs produced by the National Geographic Society. It shows a vast range of content, including programs about nature, science, culture, and history.

To find out more about the National Geographic Society, you can go here. To learn more about the various projects that the Society undertakes, click here. For information on events and programs run by the Society, go here. If you would like to visit their online store, you can click here. To make a donation, please click here.

Day 363 – December 29th – Zeitgeist Addendum

The Zeitgeist Movement is something that I have touched upon briefly in a previous post. ‘Zeitgeist Addendum‘ is a documentary film that gives an alternate view on the world today, also describing The Venus Project and the solutions available to the mass, global problems that we are all experiencing.

The Venus Project is an organisation that promotes a redesign of culture and society, introducing the idea of a resource-based economy. One of the main ideas, which is emphasized in the documentary, is the removal of the monetary system, due to its connections with greed, crime and corruption. It is discussed in great detail, especially surrounding the flaws of the system. It’s interesting, at the very least.

Overall, the documentary covers some controvertial topics, and the views expressed are quite extreme at times. I don’t agree with everything in the film; nor am I saying that you should. I’m simply asking you to watch the film with an open mind and then deicde for yourself what you want to believe, whether it’s all of it, some of it or even none of it. It suggests a new way of viewing things; of thinking and acting. I think it’s worth some consideration.

Day 362 – December 28th – Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa was a Catholic nun who was internationally famed as a humanitarian and advocate for the poor and helpless, working throughout much of the 20th century. She founded the ‘Missionaries of Charity‘ in 1950 – a religious order with the mission to care for “the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the crippled, the blind, the lepers, all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for throughout society, people that have become a burden to the society and are shunned by everyone.“

For over 45 years, up until her death in 1997, she guided the Missionaries of Charity, as well as ministering to the poor, sick, orphaned, and dying. At the time of her death, the order was operating 610 missions – such as hospices, soup kitchens and counseling programs – in 123 countries. She dedicated her life to helping others and, in 1979, won the Nobel Peace Prize “for work undertaken in the struggle to overcome poverty and distress, which also constitutes a threat to peace.“

Here are a selection of excellent quotes from Mother Teresa:

‘Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat’

‘Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough, money can be got, but they need your hearts to love them. So, spread your love everywhere you go’

‘Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work’

‘We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop’

‘Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier’

‘Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love’

‘Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies’

Day 361 – December 27th – Fade Into You

‘Fade Into You’ is a song by the alternate rock band Mazzy Star, from their album ‘So Tonight That I Might See‘. It’s a song that I thought I’d share because it’s absolutely beautiful, but also because the lyrics are quite powerful. Lyricist Hope Sandoval and composer David Roback wrote the song.

The song tells of falling in love with somebody who has been damaged; trying to connect with them physically and emotionally, but realising that they can’t give back. Even so, it’s about giving yourself to that person but, in the process, losing yourself slightly, hence ‘fading into them’. Throughout this, they never truly know what they mean to you. It’s bittersweet, and the way that Sandoval sings the lyrics is haunting.

And below is a live version of the song:

Day 360 – December 26th – Call To Action

I’ve posted many videos throughout the year of inspirational and motivational speeches made by various people. I’ve shared them because the messages that they have portrayed mean something to me; they connect with something inside me and I agree with them mostly. It’s about passion: identifying a problem and wanting to fix it; to find alternate means and solutions to the big problems that plague us at the moment. It’s not really something that we can simply shy away from; there are some major problems in the world. Things are deteriorating at an alarming rate and western society is rapidly crumblimg.

Is there a perfect solution? No. Do I believe that we will be able to turn things around for the better? I don’t kn0w. I do, however, greatly admire people with the courage and determination to stand up and want to make a difference. These are the people who inspire me to do what it is that I do. Okay, so having the will to do something isn’t everything. For one, it isn’t necessarily going to solve your problems. It is, though, a start. It’s better to want to make a difference and give it your best shot than to just not bother. A world full of apathetic people would simply get nothing done. We need special individuals to push us forwards.

I’ve spoken about Myles Dyer a lot this year, posting several of his more inspirational videos. The more I learn about him, the more I like him; the stronger connection I feel with him; shared passions and drive. I don’t agree with absolutely everything that he believes in, but he’s definitely a bit of a role model to me. His latest set of videos, called ‘Will You Stand With Me?‘, act as an appeal of sorts, inspired by The Zeitgeist Movement and the film ‘Zeitgeist Addendum‘, while I’ll talk about more in another post. This is something that Myles is extremely passionate about and wants to gather support for.

It’s quite a controversial subject, with a lot of quite radical ideas, but these are radical times in which we live. Not everybody understands that, but the systems that are currently in place aren’t working. I’m not going to say whether this is the solution or not, or whether it’s the way forward, as I’ll leave it for you to make your own mind up over. What it is great to see is somebody having such strong beliefs in something and being set on making a positive difference. That’s why I’m sharing these videos with you: what Myles speaks about may have some sort of meanng to you and you may feel motivated by what he says, but it’s what he and his three videos represent that is of the most importance, I believe. We’re beginning to look at a different way of going about things; of looking towards creating a better society. Will we get somewhere in the end? I hope so. If enough people learn to understand the prospects of a more unified, sustainable world, then there is a chance.

Day 359 – December 25th – Make-A-Wish Foundation

Similar to When You Wish Upon a Star, the Make-A-Wish Foundation is a non-profit organisation that grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses. They work in 36 different countries right around the world, spanning five continents. Their stated mission is “to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy.”

The Make-A-Wish Foundation was created in America back in 1980, inspired by the fulfillment of a wish of a seven year-old boy. Make-A-Wish Foundation International was then officially formed in 1993 to serve countries outside of the US that were already granting wishes, such as in the UK, where Make-A-Wish Foundation UK was establised in 1986 and has, to date, granted over 6,000 wishes. Worldwide, more than 250,000 wishes have been granted so far, thanks to the contributions of donors and the work of more than 30,000 volunteers.

The foundation has a wealth of partners and supporters, such as Disney and Blizzard, with the UK branch also working with Cadbury, all helping to make the dreams of children come true. It’s a brilliant cause, bringing to light some truly inspirational stories regarding individual children who are helped by the organisation.

To find out more about Make-A-Wish International, click here. To read the stories of children who have had their wishes granted, you can go here. To donate, please go here.

To find out more about Make-A-Wish UK, click here. To read about UK-specific wishes that have been granted, go here. To donate to the UK foundation, please click here.

Day 358 – December 24th – Inspirational Quotes (Looking Back)

I’ve already posted about looking forward, but I believe that it’s also important to look back; to reflect on past experiences  and learn valuable lessons from them to help aid you in the future. Looking back, therefore, is what the following selection of quotes all focus on:

• ‘Reflect upon your blessings, of which every man has plenty, not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some‘ – Charles Dickens
• ‘The past is our definition. We may strive, with good reason to escape it, or to escape what is bad in it, but we will escape it only by adding something better to it‘ – Wendell Berry
• ‘What you need to know about the past is that no matter what has happened, it has all worked together to bring you to this very moment. And this is the moment you can choose to make everything new, right now‘ – Unknown Author
• ‘One must always maintain one’s connection to the past and yet ceaselessly pull away from it. To remain in touch with the past requires a love of memory. To remain in touch with the past requires a constant imaginative effort’ – Gaston Bachelard
• ‘I love my past, I love my present. I am not ashamed of what I have had, and I am not sad because I no longer have it‘ – Sidonie Gabrielle Colette
• ‘May you look back on the past with as much pleasure as you look forward to the future‘ – Paul Dickson
• ‘Look to the past for guidance into the future‘ – Robert Jacob Goodkin
• ‘The past, though it cannot be relived, can always be repaired‘ – John La Farge

Day 357 – December 23rd – Follow Your Dream

‘Follow Your Dream‘ is a poem by Amanda Bradley. It’s about aiming towards achieving your goals and not giving up along the way, even if you encounter obstacles. You should keep focussed on what you want to achieve and strive onwards until you are successful.; until you get where you want to be.

‘Follow your dream.
Take one step at a time and don’t settle for less,
Just continue to climb.
Follow your dream.
If you stumble, don’t stop and lose sight of your goal
Press to the top.
For only on top can we see the whole view,
Can we see what we’ve done and what we can do;
Can we then have the vision to seek something new,
Press on.
Follow your dream’

It’s quite a short poem, but I believe that it gets the point across well: keep on climbing, because you won’t regret it once you reach the top. Know what it is that you want and unleash your full potential.

Amanda Bradley

Day 356 – December 22nd – Children International

Children International, with the slogan ‘Real help. Real hope‘, is a nonprofit humanitarian organisation that works towards bettering the lives of children in poverty, their families and communities.

Their stated mission is: “to bring real and lasting change to children living in poverty. In partnership with contributors, we reduce their daily struggles, invest in their potential, and provide them with the opportunity to grow up healthy, educated and prepared to succeed and contribute to society“.

Their main goal is: “to truly affect the lives of impoverished children, their families and communities through our programs to relieve the burdens these people face and improve their quality of life.”

They work towards achieving this primarily through a child sponsorship programme. With it, they unite children and sponsors to give the children the tools and opportunities needed for them to succeed in life by providing them with benefits and support, particularly in areas of education and health.

Their vision for the programme is: “that every child graduates from our program as a healthy, educated, self-reliant adult with the ability and drive to break free from poverty while improving their own communities“

The sponsorship scheme currently helps more than 330,000 impoverished children in eleven countries worldwide. With monthly contributions, the children can be provided with clothing, dental, education, family assistance, medical, nutritional aid, as well as a youth programme. In return, sponsors receive regular letters and photos from sponsored children to help them see how their money is helping to change lives.

To find out more general information about Children International, go here. To learn more about how they help children in need, click here. For information on their sponsorship programme, go here. To find out how you can help the charity, go here. If you’d like to sponsor a child, please click here.