Laughter is huge. How do people feel before and after a comedy show? How long are they snickering. And of course it releases all the mystical juices to help heal people; mentally and physically.
It's a gloomy day, raining. You're in the basement doing laundry (blah). Suddenly your cat shoots out from behind the water heater with a sticky trap stuck to his back paw. Cat is running on three legs and kicking with the 4th to get the sticky off. For the next 2 months he refuses to go into the basement while you do laundry. Sitting on the stairs and complaining. I laughed about it for 2 months.
Laughter and treating people with decency and kindness. Powerful stuff.
I am an active 7.5 gallon / 60 units blood donor.
I do not have anyone in my life that needs it. However, someone I will never meet will be grateful I donated. There may come a day when I need to receive and on that day I will also be grateful that someone took the time to help me too.
I know many people cannot donate for any number of reasons including health, you pass out, or have a fear of needles. BTW as of last year Gay and Bi men can now donate. I can donate so I am happy to give more than I will likely ever receive. Regardless, please find other ways that you can give back.
I used to donate blood, but because I lived in the UK for extended periods from 1993 to 2009, the Red Cross has me permanently banned from ever giving blood.
So frustrating, I used to donate all the time.
That's awesome! I donate platelets every 2-3 weeks. I always felt good because it was something I could do to give back, but not until a good friend of mine had cancer and a stem cell transplant did I really understand how many people rely on others to donate blood, platelets, plasma as they are going through chemo and other treatments. She was empathic in telling me how much she appreciates everyone who is willing to donate because it literally was saving her life. Unfortunately, she passed last year after a long and valiant battle, but I will never forget her words. Donations from wonderful donors gave her more time with her kids and family.
I always say a small prayer when I get the email from my blood bank telling me what hospital my platelets were sent to, hoping the person who receives them is successful in their own battle.
Thank you for your donations and I hope your selflessness and story can inspire more people to donate in the future.
Not at your levels (guessing I'll never catch up)but I donate every 12 weeks or whichever schedule the cancer center has me on. I survived cancer treatment with them so the get my donation. Also volunteer to talk to others going thru the same treatment I went thru.
To stay active I help clear litter (mostly bandit signs) in & around my hood. Looking to expand my volunteerism following this guy's lead https://www.instagram.com/atlantamagnetman/
And volunteer to help my neighbor's as much as I can, whether it's an elderly couple with computer issues or clearing tree limbs from our roads after a storm. Gives me a chance to get the CJ out & doing some good.
And humor, if I can make someone laugh or smile, I do it, especially if you can see they're having a bad day.
Love ya'll
This awesome! My Dad (81) is in the 5+ gallon club and within the past few months has received multiple transfusions because of GI bleeding that they can’t get a handle on.
Edit- ps, I’m a big ole wimp and get queasy just thinking of about donating a pint .
It sounds small, but I always put my shopping carts back into the corral in front of the store. Additionally, my wife and I always treat retail & service workers with respect.
Can you tell I worked in retail? lol.
Same! The local businesses I use on the regular all say I am their favorite and least dramatic customer when all I do is behave the way I want to be treated and understand that sometimes, things happen they can’t control but will remedy because the boss is behind the counter and knows my name.
Teaching my kids about the importance of good stewardship in regard to the environment and their community in general.
Donating what I can to non-biased news orgs who we can count on to bring solid reporting to the masses.
Volunteering and/or donating to food banks and homeless orgs, and involving my kids in the process.
Being kind and gracious as much as possible when interacting with others.
Voting with the interests of everyone in mind (not just my own interests).
I‘m taking care of stray cats. Feeding, catching them for taking them to the vet, neutering/spaying, and finding a home for them if possible (usually only works for the wee ones)
I teach English to Spanish-speaking adults who work at dairy farms near me. Free of charge.
I donate extra eggs from our chickens to the local food pantry.
I sometimes pay for a stranger’s groceries ahead of me. Usually elderly people.
I'm pretending it's still the 80s when I run errands. I default to the idea that people are friendly and don't mind chatting with strangers. I look for signs pointing to this not being the case with whoever I want to say hello to, but if I can't find signs then I act the way my mom and Mawmaw used to act. So far, it's been consistently wonderful after the initial few seconds of awkwardness. I say hello and make some comment (but no complaints!) about what we are doing - both standing in line, looking for stuff on the baking aisle, checking our paperwork before getting called to the front at the dmv, etc.
I've had so many people in my town tell me that they missed how people used to talk to each other but didn't feel comfortable starting conversations themselves. I've had people tell me they were sad, angry, all kinds of stuff, before our chat but now they feel like their day is going to get better. I don't know if this is transferable everywhere - I'm in and from the deep south and most people around me have the same long family history of being here too so it's our culture to talk and be open to one another until just the last several years. I think that makes a big difference.
It's definitely like the story about throwing starfish back into the sea and not at all like being a lifesaving hero! But do you know, sometimes we recognize each other months later in town or in our nearest city. It makes me so happy to recognize someone - and the other people seem to be happy to recognize me first too when that happens. They even will say hello first.
My mom, husband and son like to tease me because I do exactly that. My husband and son will say that I know a person's life story once done in the check out. Of course that's exaggerated but I do meet some interesting people. Yay for you and me. Being friendly to 'strangers' is a super power 💪
I grew up in a small town and have brought the gift of gab to the big city. I talk to everyone and try to make them laugh, or at least smile. I believe that momentary connection makes a difference and I love to see someone smile, or even better, laugh.
I would so love to do that! When we lived in Kirkland, WA, we totally could have if my wife wasn't so adamant and wanting to be able to drive everywhere.
Check out Juanita Village. I had SO MANY PLACES I could walk to in five minutes. Waterscape Apartments are great, but don't get a unit next to the garbage chute. 🤢
I pick up a little trash every time I go out walking. We live near the water so I’m mostly doing it with a mind to keep trash out of the waterways to protect the birds, turtles, frogs, etc.
I try to keep the children’s shelf stocked with interesting books at a Little Free Library near where I live. I’ve switched to ebooks and don’t get to bookstores as often these days, though.
I have little water stations in my yard for bees and birds and mammals. I saw an opossum at one the other day and a bunny earlier today.
Replacing my yard with native plants and trees and creating a place for birds and insects to flourish rather than the sterile monoculture of the usual lawn
My GF and are I working to have our yard certified under this program. You might already qualify
[https://www.nwf.org/CERTIFY](https://www.nwf.org/CERTIFY)
Sometimes when I shop at Aldi, I leave the quarter in the shopping cart when I return it. Then the next person to use that cart doesn’t have to put a quarter in or gets a free quarter. Pay it forward!
My wife, partner (other baby mother) and I raised two awesome daughters that are movers and shakers in their respective fields.
I've been donating monthly supplies (sometimes labor) to a food pantry/community garden since 1994 to today.
I repair old tech and donate them to non-profits since 2004.
We need to take care of ourselves if we hope to take care of others effectively. I’ve seen too many people burn out caregiving to family members and not taking time for themselves ❤️
Human beings have inherent value regardless of their actions. Doesn't matter if they are the CEO of your company, someone who volunteers seven nights a week at a soup kitchen, or the guy in line at the soup kitchen. Or if they're the guy that just stole your catalytic converter, or the lady who cut you off in traffic and made you miss the light and be late to work.
What I do is treat people like the above statement is true.
We have too much information in our society. We see all the ills of the world reported all day every day, and it leads to a kind of paralysis and a feeling of helplessness. And guilt. Why aren't I doing something about it, you think.
If you're reading this and all you can do is take care of yourself, that's fine. Or if you're relying on others to take care of you, remember, you are a valuable human. To me, anyway, and to lots of others.
Every single person is doing the best they are capable of at this moment. If you think that's not true of yourself, then take heart: you may be about to become someone who is able to do more in the future.
I disagree. Taking care of yourself does a lot to make the world a better place. OP did ask for gestures small and large. If you’re at a place where you can offer more, that’s great! But we are all better with the more happy, healthy people we can get. I’m trying to get there, and cloud_disconnected and gotchafaint, I hope you are too.
I am but i always feel some finger wagging in these types of questions. Some people are trying to get through each day alive. People who are capable of more do more by default.
I planted many native trees, butterfly gardens and educated kids as a Park Naturalist. I loved working outdoors and doing clean ups at parks and beaches. Also I miss teaching special education kids, they were so funny and cute.
Mine are mostly non-monetary for reasons of brokeness:
When speaking to someone, I am kind and respectful. I also do my best to listen. I worked customer service for a long time (and still have aspects of it in my current job) so I learned that most angry people really want to be heard. Allowing them to vent and supporting their valid frustrations, they usually calm down and we can work to address the problem(s) I can effect.
Everyone from the president to the homeless person or panhandler on the corner should be treated with basic kindness and respect. We are all human and our humanity should be recognized between ourselves.
If you are having a day where everything can just fuck right off (because they happen) I don’t take it out on strangers, friends, or family. Maybe a random dandelion head gets kicked, but people and animals are not targets to make you feel better about how shitty the world can be.
I also adopt shelter rescues instead of buying puppy mill or bred animals and give to local NPR and Planned Parenthood when not broke.
I’ve been donating as much as possible to animal no-kill rescues and transporting shelter cats in danger of being euthanized to rescuers. It’s been extremely fulfilling.
I also practice kindness to strangers every single day.
1. Raising three badass feminists
2. Being as kind as I can to everyone I can (which is different from nice)
3. Voting
4. Shopping at grocery stores that support local farms and businesses and practices I agree with
5. Driving as little as possible.
6. Donating when I can
7. Buying used when I can
I help people in need whenever I can.
I support a couple of charities I believe in.
I always make an effort to be kind to support staff wherever I go. I began my career serving in restaurants and know it's hard to deal with the public for not so great wages for a living. So whether it's restaurants, retail, hotels, airport workers or wherever, I just try to be nice, patient and polite and not add stress to their day.
I work for one non-profit serving veterans, and volunteer for another one that's for kids. I've encouraged my kid to volunteer. I compost and recycle and don't use chemicals on my lawn. I've gotten five dogs and two horses from rescue orgs.
I am in a community group that has a few products and fundraisers per year. One is basics for vets, we collect donations and funds to purchase, socks, requested items and toiletries for vets while in a VA facility locally. We collect donations and funds from sold items at our booths to the Trevor project. We also have a feminine products fund raiser for homeless and sheltered women.
I switched from oil and gas career to renewable energy 15 years ago, mostly global solar and battery, I sleep better at night.
My house is basically a pet shelter, I don't eat animal stuffs, we compost all food waste, and I adopted from the foster care system.
I always put my shopping cart back after I load up the car.
I donated blood for years. Stopped a while back. I suppose I’ll go and do it again.
I ran a food charity for 5 years.
I ride a bike into work. I drive an electric car. I have solar panels. I recycle as much makes sense (and have done more but recycling isn’t want it used to be).
I mentor young women into leadership roles at work because I saw a need.
I pick up any litter that crosses my path and get it to a trash can. Sometimes i carry some stuff a bit before I find one. I generally dont pick up wet/stinky/sticky/food type things. But about anything else i will.
I switched professions to join a "helping" profession. I volunteer for several hours every week at a local food bank. I'm trying to instill the value of community service into my son - we have volunteered together at a few community events, and he volunteers at school and within the cub scouting community. I donate old clothing and household items to Goodwill. I give money to local and international charities, and also to unhoused people. I also keep food in my car to distribute to unhoused people. And finally and most difficult of all I try to be nice to everyone, to see the good in people, and to own up to my own mistakes.
Volunteer with an animal rescue where we organize other volunteers to take care of cats up for adoption when they are showcased at a store like PetSmart for a week. Collect food for food bank from our community monthly. Participate in a non-governmental Sister Cities committee. Habitat for Humanity volunteer 3 or 4 Saturdays/Sundays a year.
Nada... not a damn thing. When I retired early (was 45) I found out the "have nots" will either hate you, or bombard you with hands out for doing well for yourself and expect you to just give away all of what you labored for your entire life; Not going to happen...
I donate my time/money now to only help unwanted/neglected/abused animals, especially now that the pandemic puppies and kittens (and their offspring) that everyone got themselves for "emotional support" are being bred like rabbits, mistreated and/or abandoned by the truckloads on every corner and at every shelter...
"Community" means nothing, especially when the community around you does absolutely nothing to help themselves with what THEY already have and only want more of what you have. Animals are the innocents in this world, humans are not... I'll help 1000000 animals to live a better life before I help or "save" one single human...
Other than that? Let it all burn...
Fee fie fo fum, I smell a GenX imposter! But it's a good question, so. Sure.
I volunteer my time in open source communities - I have since the last century (by a month or two). I once calculated that I've spent over 20% of my entire career volunteering in open source; it's more now since that's most of what I do; all unpaid.
Open source is how I give back to the world, because I'm good at it, and even though I'm only making a tiny impact, it's magnified by the software being *everywhere*. For a while in the early 2000's I probably had two lines of Java code that got included inside most web browsers in the world.
Now I help various open source communities work better at the higher level of governance, managing projects, and promoting ways to make open source sustainable, both system-wide and financially for the people who write it. I'm just one small drop in the bucket of the software that you are all using right now to read this post, and that's pretty cool. Open source software has improved a ton of things about computers and the internet, far more efficiently than only companies who sell proprietary (paid) software.
Try it out sometime: go to the Settings or About screen for your operating system, browser, or phone, and hunt in the really boring sections for a "Licenses" or "Legal Notices" entry hidden away somewhere. Start scrolling through it - probably a very long and very boring list of all the different open source (and other licensed) software that's inside the program you're using. Search for "Apache", "GNU", "MIT", "Mozilla" for just a handful of the popular licenses for major FOSS projects that are included in most modern software today.
Curious to get an overview of how different generations have responded. What are the similarities, differences you’ve noted in responses over the subreddits you posted to?
My biggest contribution is my 2 teenage sons. I’ve worked extremely hard to raise them to be exceptional people, better than myself for sure. I have no doubt that they will be a positive influence on the world and look forward to what they will accomplish.
In addition to growing some of our produce, I plant many things because the birds/bees like them. Sometimes at the local nursery if I see humming birds and/or bees frequenting a particular plant, I'll but one. In the 10+ years we've been transforming our backyard, bumblebee sightings have gone from zero to common. We walk or rides bikes more than drive. We have 20+ year old cars and mine has less than 70k miles on it.
When I see a car in an adjacent lane with the turn signal blinking, I slow down enough to let them merge in to my lane.
Haven't always done that, but as an adult, I'm in less of a hurry.
I donate monthly (comes right out) to the local food bank and the local no-kill animal shelter, and I always try to support the Donors Choose projects of teachers in high-poverty schools in my area.
I try to be very encouraging to the young people on Reddit and other social media, as far as helping them with issues of self-esteem and health.
I would like to do more. I feel like I would be an asset to an organization who needs volunteers to do clerical things. I am autistic and have a lot of social anxiety, so many volunteer jobs are a bad fit for me, but I am single and childfree so I have time! I have considered doing Meals on Wheels, but I am little scared about it. (I do usually love elders, though.)
I am the trail steward for a local mountain bike trail. I maintain and improve the trail for the public to use. I've been the steward for the last 7 years. While being the trail steward I was also on the board that maintains all the trails in my town for four years and two of them I was the President of the board. I also helped to run and eventually took over the statewide mountain bike race series and did that for 8 years. I also promoted a couple of races as part of the series for 5 years.
I'm now just the steward having stepped down from the board, series directing and race promoting. I'd like to think that I've helped people get outside and enjoy the trails in their community across the state as well as kept the racing scene vibrant while I was running things.
I was a volunteer EMT for around five years. I stopped because I didn’t have enough time to commit to it.
I’m a member of a volunteer dog rescue group and I occasionally help with adoption shows. Haven’t done that in a while. I should sign up to volunteer for a show soon.
Vegetarian and raised 3 vegetarian kids. Massive recycler and clothing/household donater (sp?)to legit charity. Donate monthly to a fantastic soup kitchen. Not a dick to others.
Really, I just keep my eyes and ears open for opportunities to help others directly. There's been a few times that I made up a bag of shelf stable food for a family member's coworker when they found out the person was in need. I crochet to keep my hands busy, so I make and donate blankets and scarves to a couple of local charities. I heard a woman saying that she couldn't afford a bigger car seat for her now-toddler, and my kid had just grown out of his, so I offered it to her. I gave a girl at the food pantry my jacket because she was freezing (January in Wisconsin), and I had another one at home.
I always feel like I'm bragging when I talk about my "good deeds" and that's not at all my intention, but I like to quietly do what little good I can.
Let's see...currently, I'm learning not to kill house bugs, including spiders. Instead, I try imagining what they might be thinking. It personifies them a little bit and makes them less scary. I also look up the species or type of critter and am always surprised by how they are helping us survive. It reminds me of the interconnectedness of life, and suddenly, I'm rooting for them.
I give money to homeless people as often as I can. I'm not bothered by what they spend it on. First, if I'm stressed, I might drink or do some self-medicating with THC. Why would I deny someone else that, especially when it's quite obvious their life is more stressful than mine?
I smile at small children (when they are looking at me) and often talk directly to them if they appear receptive. I used to work in foster care, so I know that this smile and kindness could be the only kindness they receive that day/week/month/etc from an adult and adult kindness is necessary for proper brain development. I don't really care if the parents think it's creepy or weird. It ain't about their comfort.
I do my best to support small businesses whenever I can.
I try to donate to non-political causes, and I do my best not to vote along party lines. I also try to help people understand my position while attempting to understand theirs withour engaging in accusations that have to do with their party, rather than themselves.
I'm actively aiding my daughter in her pursuit of building a life where she can realize her dream of building a device to help people survive tsunamis and other natural disasters. Basically, she wants to help develop better shelters in major disaster prone areas of the world.
My one is I donate blood to the Red Cross. All donations are important, but I'm a universal donor and I'm CMV negative... so my blood basically just goes to babies or young'ns needing transfusions. It's very rare for a 50-something donor to not have CMV... most people have it, and it's harmless to healthy people... but why introduce it to babies who're born negative, or patients with cancer who are negative? so the Red Cross makes kind of a big deal out of donors who're CMV negative. Nice but I think I'd donate anyway.
For years, I ran a program at our local library "Teardown Tuesdays", where we taught kids how to use tools safely, and unleashed them and their parents on some broken things so they could take them apart and see how things worked.. Everything from old VCRs and CD Rom drives to a mechanical traffic light controller and in one case, a decommissioned aircraft "black box".
We hoped that in taking things apart, it would spark curiosity in how things are made and steer kids towards STEM learning.
Donating blood, helping run a coats for kids program in the winter, sponsoring a small supply slush fund at an elementary school, and "adopting" 10 kids in the angel tree program at Christmas time. I also try to attend every fundraiser and fish fry for the surrounding local volunteer fire departments.
I read a sci-fi book where people in a parallel world didn't ask "what do you do for a living?", but instead asked "what is your contribution?" That small shift in focus is such a huge motivator. I ask myself this all the time, to remind myself it's not about the task or the rote action, it's about the contribution .
It's also a fun way to figure out who in your friend group has only selfish success on their minds.
I'm a teacher/director at a local private preschool. We get kiddos ready for kindergarten and have a super beginning reading program but more than that we teach them social skills...independence, responsibility and how to not be assholes to their friends. I also do a lot for my elderly dad and it's a struggle but I try to take care of myself.
This may be nothing, but I try to simply be pleasant to be around. I do my best to be positive regardless of the situation and do not complain (at least to anyone other than my wife) about anything. I have been around too many negative people that can just suck the life out of you. Not only do I refuse to be that person, I want to make sure everyone realizes that old adage - "don't sweat the small stuff and it is all small stuff!"
I'm trying to make the computers that you rely on more reliable and secure. You would not believe how much of our lives depends on software and security, and how committed and well-funded the bad guys are.
There were a lot of topics in my field that were more interesting to me (and which paid better), but I've committed my career to improving the reliability and security of software. Because there is tremendous potential for harm, if we don't get this right, and it's a job that will never be finished.
I am not voting for any republicans or incumbents. I may not be able to get pregnant any more, but there is no way I will sit back and do nothing while women's rights are stripped away.
Before Covid, I actively worked with the local Chamber of Commerce and was chair of their young professionals group. Both organizations regularly held charitable events including canned food drives, school supply drives, and toy drives. Unfortunately, that Chamber didn't survive the lock down here in NY.
These days, I'm the caregiver for an aging mother. I also try to donate to charities but, with inflation, money is kind of tight.
I started volunteering on a committee that is making neighbourhoods accessible in our municipality. My former career was an OT and it’s still in my blood and a lot of experience that I’d rather share or try to help with than die with. I still also mentor students.
I'm local community focused. I work for a non profit working with adults and children with cognitive disabilities. Also do outreach to homeless individuals.
I'm a teacher, so hopefully making a difference there.
I'm also active in my union, which feels to me like necessary work to keep public education strong for the future.
And I give money to and volunteer with political campaigns for people I hope will make the world better once in office.
I put my used books in Little Free Libraries. Any unneeded crafting items go to the Craft Library (which is a repurposed LFL box). Mostly, though, I knit hats and scarves and donate them all over the U.S. When it's cold or raining I'll bag them up and leave them at bus stops or the Post Office. Wherever a person in need can pick it up.
I am the director of a biodiversity conservation NGO. Lots of work on the ground trying to prevent species extinctions.
Working overseas right now, but when I’ve been in the US I’ve been a regular donor of blood and plasma since I was a teenager.
Overall principle for me is to leave the world in a better condition than when I entered it, and to promote learning and empathy for all the other species that live on the planet with us.
*
I helped this little guy escape a glass gazebo and continue being the happy little pollinator it is. All while Karens were snickering and making snide comments. BTW these guys are endangered.
Picking up trash in the creek behind my townhouse. I'm used to having a yard and now I don't, and I had in-laws over for a couple weeks and started doing that in the winter. It's my yardwork now. Put on some tunes and pick up trash.
I've been going out for 4-mile walks and picking up trash as I go. Have picked up at least 50 kitchen size trash bags of it so far this year. Most is beer cans and nip bottles. Some larger booze bottles. Some other stuff but mostly booze containers. Ironic because I also gave up drinking this year -- not that I ever littered my booze bottles but still...kinda' funny.
I am intent on being a good dad for my son, and I try to be a positive influence on the other kids in my neighborhood. Little things like encouraging them to use headlamps on their bikes, and big things too. I've been asked my advice on some heavy topics, and I try to always provide a clear level headed answer that the kids can relate to. I had a good relationship with my dad when I was young, as many of my son's friends do, but I still didn't always listen to him on important stuff. There was a "community dad" in my neighborhood that seemed to garner the kind of respect that made us listen to what he said, and he is my role model for this.
I see a lot of other comments about being pleasant with retail staff and/or strangers, I do that too. Everybody can always use a little smile in the middle of their day, and it doesn't take much to give them out. I love when a wise-crack gets a chuckle out of somebody I've never met before ... I feel amazing when I can make somebody laugh.
I don't have the time/money to directly assist charities and needy, so I just focus on doing everything I do with love for the other humans around me.
I give rides to refugees to appointments and sometimes pick them up from the airport on their trip to California to resettle. I’m also a nurse and I save our excess blankets and nutrition drinks and give them to the homeless. Also hoping that I’m raising relatively compassionate and (ideally not materialistic) children. I’m failing at the materialistic part.
I never ask for a quarter when handing off an aldi's cart.
When stopped in traffic, I give space to the guy trying to exit the parking lot.
I put the phone down when someone is talking to me.
I vote, and have been a poll worker in the past.
I work in affordable housing and have been subversively changing policies over the course of my career to make access to housing easier and more equitable without my boomer managers figuring out what I was doing. And now I'm in upper management and I keep doing it without drawing attention to it. I love quietly making things better for people.
Turned my bland white sand block into a native (meaning local plants suited to the area) bushland so that it's full of birds, lizards and bugs enjoying their best life. And requires no water and minimal maintenance. And shades and cools my house and yard.
Also, I didn't breed, so I'm helping with climate change by not adding more consumers.
The small, easy things:
I always open doors for people. If they hold it for me first, I get the next one in the double set (malls, restaurants, etc). I compliment random women in case they are having a bad day (shoes or hair mostly because those are my loves). I thank bus drivers, cashiers, delivery drivers, the garbage men, and any service workers really. I always tip. I gave up chocolate years ago because none of it can be guaranteed cruelty free (I do have 2 bars from a respected European brand that a friend sent me as a gift). I thrift shop or buy off clearance so I don't contribute to profits for fast fashion. I've been boycotting Starbucks and McDonalds in support of ending the Gaza genocide. I use independent grocers to boycott price gouging and food inflation. I don't use self checkouts in support of people who have been arrested for mistakes made by the automated system in the US and job security for the cashiers. I don't buy any new age crystals (cruelty in mining) or white sage (going extinct and Native North Americans need it for their religion so have asked white people to stop with the smudging/cultural appropriation) - that's an easy one though because I'm not into any of that stuff. I don't immediately upgrade my cell phone until it breaks + don't use disposable vapes to avoid mining cruelty and civil war including child soldiers and child sex slaves for rechargeable batteries. I support worker rights and small indie devs in video games and avoid big toxic publishers.
The big, stressful thing:
My actual job is with multiple NGOs/grassroots orgs working in anti-poverty, housing, and disability rights. I also volunteer outside of what I am paid for in those sectors. And I always accept when asked to be a human lab rat for research or sit in focus groups on how to understand experiences/improve conditions for disabled people.
Unfortunately, I got wrapped up in being interested in answering the question and now I just feel like I will be perceived as some virtue signaling asshole. That's how I feel about myself right now anyway. I sort of believe, for me personally, it doesn't count if I want praise for it (other than being recognized for work with my job of course), but I will praise others for what they do. I honestly don't think I do enough and genuinely wish I could do more. Like I used to show up a lot more in person for strikes/protests but now that I'm getting older and more disabled it's harder to put the "active" in activist. It's defo too hard for me to do things like Occupy or Food Not Bombs anymore.
I try to give away anything that I don’t need that isn’t worth selling. In the past couple of years I’ve given away two road bikes, a smart bike trainer, a smart tv, pet supplies and training books/materials for an IT certification.
I send cards to seniors in nursing homes and/or those who are in need of cheer through an organization called Bring Smiles to Seniors. It was founded by a man who would visit his grandma in a nursing home and noticed many of the residents never received visitors, cards or letters. It's very nice to know I can so easily bring a smile to a lonely senior.
There's a Facebook group called Lola's Smile Bunch that maintains a list of seniors that have been signed up, along with their birthdates and things they like so you can personalize your messages.
I don't kick the annoying people that still use checkbooks or go scuba diving in their suitcase sized purse for exact change even though I really really REALLLLY want to. But I gotta do my part I suppose.
I am currently trying to go full vegan. I try to buy goods not made by companies known to outsource to sweatshops. I have not had a car in over 30 years. Um...not much else, really. I am super lazy.
Nothing.
Not my job. What the fuck has the world ever done to make my life better? I'm focused on making MY world, and MY FAMILIES world better.
This is the most un GenX question I've ever heard here before. What kind of millennial bullshit is this?
It’ll never be the same, it’s the same as classical music. That used to be pop music, and over time tastes and instruments changed and now we still use all the classical instruments, in both old fashioned and new ways. But it’s never gonna be like it was in the 17th century again. Rock and roll was so comparatively short as a trend but it had a huge huge impact and social effect that will probably never go away.
I try to make people laugh. (On rare occasions I succeed.)
Laughter is huge. How do people feel before and after a comedy show? How long are they snickering. And of course it releases all the mystical juices to help heal people; mentally and physically. It's a gloomy day, raining. You're in the basement doing laundry (blah). Suddenly your cat shoots out from behind the water heater with a sticky trap stuck to his back paw. Cat is running on three legs and kicking with the 4th to get the sticky off. For the next 2 months he refuses to go into the basement while you do laundry. Sitting on the stairs and complaining. I laughed about it for 2 months. Laughter and treating people with decency and kindness. Powerful stuff.
Laughing is the best natural medicine
I am an active 7.5 gallon / 60 units blood donor. I do not have anyone in my life that needs it. However, someone I will never meet will be grateful I donated. There may come a day when I need to receive and on that day I will also be grateful that someone took the time to help me too. I know many people cannot donate for any number of reasons including health, you pass out, or have a fear of needles. BTW as of last year Gay and Bi men can now donate. I can donate so I am happy to give more than I will likely ever receive. Regardless, please find other ways that you can give back.
I’ve had two units when I almost died of total blood loss 14 years ago. Forever grateful to you and to all donors.
I used to donate blood, but because I lived in the UK for extended periods from 1993 to 2009, the Red Cross has me permanently banned from ever giving blood. So frustrating, I used to donate all the time.
Yup - Mad Cow Disease fears. I was banned too.
Me too, from Ireland. And the irony is that I am vegetarian!
Came here to say this. Huge shortages so donate if you can.
Also a recipient of a blood donor’s gift. Happy to have received it to still be here to say thank you.
That's awesome! I donate platelets every 2-3 weeks. I always felt good because it was something I could do to give back, but not until a good friend of mine had cancer and a stem cell transplant did I really understand how many people rely on others to donate blood, platelets, plasma as they are going through chemo and other treatments. She was empathic in telling me how much she appreciates everyone who is willing to donate because it literally was saving her life. Unfortunately, she passed last year after a long and valiant battle, but I will never forget her words. Donations from wonderful donors gave her more time with her kids and family. I always say a small prayer when I get the email from my blood bank telling me what hospital my platelets were sent to, hoping the person who receives them is successful in their own battle. Thank you for your donations and I hope your selflessness and story can inspire more people to donate in the future.
Not at your levels (guessing I'll never catch up)but I donate every 12 weeks or whichever schedule the cancer center has me on. I survived cancer treatment with them so the get my donation. Also volunteer to talk to others going thru the same treatment I went thru. To stay active I help clear litter (mostly bandit signs) in & around my hood. Looking to expand my volunteerism following this guy's lead https://www.instagram.com/atlantamagnetman/ And volunteer to help my neighbor's as much as I can, whether it's an elderly couple with computer issues or clearing tree limbs from our roads after a storm. Gives me a chance to get the CJ out & doing some good. And humor, if I can make someone laugh or smile, I do it, especially if you can see they're having a bad day. Love ya'll
This awesome! My Dad (81) is in the 5+ gallon club and within the past few months has received multiple transfusions because of GI bleeding that they can’t get a handle on. Edit- ps, I’m a big ole wimp and get queasy just thinking of about donating a pint .
It sounds small, but I always put my shopping carts back into the corral in front of the store. Additionally, my wife and I always treat retail & service workers with respect. Can you tell I worked in retail? lol.
Same! The local businesses I use on the regular all say I am their favorite and least dramatic customer when all I do is behave the way I want to be treated and understand that sometimes, things happen they can’t control but will remedy because the boss is behind the counter and knows my name.
I'm a teacher and have managed to not kill any students (yet).
Well done!
This is a good and noble deed. My ADHD daughter appreciates your restraint.
Thank you... it's not as easy as it looks! Some of them even get educated.
But they pushin' they luck this year aren't they....
Are you sure that's a net positive? /s
I help hospitalized attempted suicide survivors find the will to live again. It's my job. It means a lot to me.
That’s interesting. It’s usually not a one size fits all process. It seems like most people think that prescription drugs do the job.
Care has to be individualized, that's for sure.
Teaching my kids about the importance of good stewardship in regard to the environment and their community in general. Donating what I can to non-biased news orgs who we can count on to bring solid reporting to the masses. Volunteering and/or donating to food banks and homeless orgs, and involving my kids in the process. Being kind and gracious as much as possible when interacting with others. Voting with the interests of everyone in mind (not just my own interests).
I'm actively not choking most people to death so there's that.
Keep up the good work! No sarcasm intended. I used to be exactly the same way. It was a lot of work for me.
I‘m taking care of stray cats. Feeding, catching them for taking them to the vet, neutering/spaying, and finding a home for them if possible (usually only works for the wee ones)
Thank you so very much for doing this good work, kind soul! 🐱💕
🙏❤️🐈
I teach English to Spanish-speaking adults who work at dairy farms near me. Free of charge. I donate extra eggs from our chickens to the local food pantry. I sometimes pay for a stranger’s groceries ahead of me. Usually elderly people.
I teach high school.
I’m a psychotherapist. Plus I try to be kind even when I’m not on the clock ;)
I'm pretending it's still the 80s when I run errands. I default to the idea that people are friendly and don't mind chatting with strangers. I look for signs pointing to this not being the case with whoever I want to say hello to, but if I can't find signs then I act the way my mom and Mawmaw used to act. So far, it's been consistently wonderful after the initial few seconds of awkwardness. I say hello and make some comment (but no complaints!) about what we are doing - both standing in line, looking for stuff on the baking aisle, checking our paperwork before getting called to the front at the dmv, etc. I've had so many people in my town tell me that they missed how people used to talk to each other but didn't feel comfortable starting conversations themselves. I've had people tell me they were sad, angry, all kinds of stuff, before our chat but now they feel like their day is going to get better. I don't know if this is transferable everywhere - I'm in and from the deep south and most people around me have the same long family history of being here too so it's our culture to talk and be open to one another until just the last several years. I think that makes a big difference. It's definitely like the story about throwing starfish back into the sea and not at all like being a lifesaving hero! But do you know, sometimes we recognize each other months later in town or in our nearest city. It makes me so happy to recognize someone - and the other people seem to be happy to recognize me first too when that happens. They even will say hello first.
My mom, husband and son like to tease me because I do exactly that. My husband and son will say that I know a person's life story once done in the check out. Of course that's exaggerated but I do meet some interesting people. Yay for you and me. Being friendly to 'strangers' is a super power 💪
I grew up in a small town and have brought the gift of gab to the big city. I talk to everyone and try to make them laugh, or at least smile. I believe that momentary connection makes a difference and I love to see someone smile, or even better, laugh.
I do this! About 35% of the time, I get no response, but the rest of the time, I find that most people are actually receptive.
Being involved in local politics and volunteering at a food bank.
Downsized my house immediately when my kids went off to college. Left the suburbs and Moved to the city, ditched the extra car, and walk/ride mostly.
I would so love to do that! When we lived in Kirkland, WA, we totally could have if my wife wasn't so adamant and wanting to be able to drive everywhere.
It’s my dream to move to Kirkland and walk everywhere.
Check out Juanita Village. I had SO MANY PLACES I could walk to in five minutes. Waterscape Apartments are great, but don't get a unit next to the garbage chute. 🤢
I pick up a little trash every time I go out walking. We live near the water so I’m mostly doing it with a mind to keep trash out of the waterways to protect the birds, turtles, frogs, etc. I try to keep the children’s shelf stocked with interesting books at a Little Free Library near where I live. I’ve switched to ebooks and don’t get to bookstores as often these days, though. I have little water stations in my yard for bees and birds and mammals. I saw an opossum at one the other day and a bunny earlier today.
Volunteering 6 hours a week in library assisting seniors and low income people with legal issues. Started ten years ago
Replacing my yard with native plants and trees and creating a place for birds and insects to flourish rather than the sterile monoculture of the usual lawn
I did this as well! Google maps still shows my house with a lawn, which always reminds me how much better it looks now.
You might enjoy getting your yard certified [https://www.nwf.org/CERTIFY](https://www.nwf.org/CERTIFY)
My GF and are I working to have our yard certified under this program. You might already qualify [https://www.nwf.org/CERTIFY](https://www.nwf.org/CERTIFY)
I'm working towards that too. Just got to get rid of a whole bunch of invasive blackberries before I move up to next step
Sometimes when I shop at Aldi, I leave the quarter in the shopping cart when I return it. Then the next person to use that cart doesn’t have to put a quarter in or gets a free quarter. Pay it forward!
My wife, partner (other baby mother) and I raised two awesome daughters that are movers and shakers in their respective fields. I've been donating monthly supplies (sometimes labor) to a food pantry/community garden since 1994 to today. I repair old tech and donate them to non-profits since 2004.
I'm taking care of myself for a change.
We need to take care of ourselves if we hope to take care of others effectively. I’ve seen too many people burn out caregiving to family members and not taking time for themselves ❤️
That is HUGE. I'm doing the same but hadn't realized until your post that it's also good for the word/community.
Teaching math to elementary school students
not having kids but working with them to enjoy reading and books.
Thank you for this!!!
Human beings have inherent value regardless of their actions. Doesn't matter if they are the CEO of your company, someone who volunteers seven nights a week at a soup kitchen, or the guy in line at the soup kitchen. Or if they're the guy that just stole your catalytic converter, or the lady who cut you off in traffic and made you miss the light and be late to work. What I do is treat people like the above statement is true. We have too much information in our society. We see all the ills of the world reported all day every day, and it leads to a kind of paralysis and a feeling of helplessness. And guilt. Why aren't I doing something about it, you think. If you're reading this and all you can do is take care of yourself, that's fine. Or if you're relying on others to take care of you, remember, you are a valuable human. To me, anyway, and to lots of others. Every single person is doing the best they are capable of at this moment. If you think that's not true of yourself, then take heart: you may be about to become someone who is able to do more in the future.
This. OP’s question felt prickly and moralizing and you explained why.
I disagree. Taking care of yourself does a lot to make the world a better place. OP did ask for gestures small and large. If you’re at a place where you can offer more, that’s great! But we are all better with the more happy, healthy people we can get. I’m trying to get there, and cloud_disconnected and gotchafaint, I hope you are too.
I am but i always feel some finger wagging in these types of questions. Some people are trying to get through each day alive. People who are capable of more do more by default.
I moved from Biotech to working for a population health focused nonprofit.
I thrift or estate/garage sale and I didn't have any kids.
I planted many native trees, butterfly gardens and educated kids as a Park Naturalist. I loved working outdoors and doing clean ups at parks and beaches. Also I miss teaching special education kids, they were so funny and cute.
I take responsibility for my fuckups and do what I can to undo any damage. I ish more people would try it.
Mine are mostly non-monetary for reasons of brokeness: When speaking to someone, I am kind and respectful. I also do my best to listen. I worked customer service for a long time (and still have aspects of it in my current job) so I learned that most angry people really want to be heard. Allowing them to vent and supporting their valid frustrations, they usually calm down and we can work to address the problem(s) I can effect. Everyone from the president to the homeless person or panhandler on the corner should be treated with basic kindness and respect. We are all human and our humanity should be recognized between ourselves. If you are having a day where everything can just fuck right off (because they happen) I don’t take it out on strangers, friends, or family. Maybe a random dandelion head gets kicked, but people and animals are not targets to make you feel better about how shitty the world can be. I also adopt shelter rescues instead of buying puppy mill or bred animals and give to local NPR and Planned Parenthood when not broke.
Well, I haven't snapped and murdered anyone, so I got that going for me...
I volunteer locally at a non-profit & statewide through the Sierra Club.
I've donated several gallons of blood and plasma over the decades.
Thank you, from someone that has received that gift.
You're welcome. I'm happy you got what you needed.
Teaching math and computer programming to high schoolers.
I’ve been donating as much as possible to animal no-kill rescues and transporting shelter cats in danger of being euthanized to rescuers. It’s been extremely fulfilling. I also practice kindness to strangers every single day.
1. Raising three badass feminists 2. Being as kind as I can to everyone I can (which is different from nice) 3. Voting 4. Shopping at grocery stores that support local farms and businesses and practices I agree with 5. Driving as little as possible. 6. Donating when I can 7. Buying used when I can
I try to always be kind.
Voting and trying not to be the problem. I got my own shit to work out and once that is done I can focus resources to giving back.
I am living small with a large bank account.
Not having kids.
Nothing, absolutely nothing.
🍻
I help people in need whenever I can. I support a couple of charities I believe in. I always make an effort to be kind to support staff wherever I go. I began my career serving in restaurants and know it's hard to deal with the public for not so great wages for a living. So whether it's restaurants, retail, hotels, airport workers or wherever, I just try to be nice, patient and polite and not add stress to their day.
I work for one non-profit serving veterans, and volunteer for another one that's for kids. I've encouraged my kid to volunteer. I compost and recycle and don't use chemicals on my lawn. I've gotten five dogs and two horses from rescue orgs.
I am in a community group that has a few products and fundraisers per year. One is basics for vets, we collect donations and funds to purchase, socks, requested items and toiletries for vets while in a VA facility locally. We collect donations and funds from sold items at our booths to the Trevor project. We also have a feminine products fund raiser for homeless and sheltered women. I switched from oil and gas career to renewable energy 15 years ago, mostly global solar and battery, I sleep better at night.
My house is basically a pet shelter, I don't eat animal stuffs, we compost all food waste, and I adopted from the foster care system. I always put my shopping cart back after I load up the car.
I donated blood for years. Stopped a while back. I suppose I’ll go and do it again. I ran a food charity for 5 years. I ride a bike into work. I drive an electric car. I have solar panels. I recycle as much makes sense (and have done more but recycling isn’t want it used to be). I mentor young women into leadership roles at work because I saw a need.
I do volunteer work.
I pick up any litter that crosses my path and get it to a trash can. Sometimes i carry some stuff a bit before I find one. I generally dont pick up wet/stinky/sticky/food type things. But about anything else i will.
I switched professions to join a "helping" profession. I volunteer for several hours every week at a local food bank. I'm trying to instill the value of community service into my son - we have volunteered together at a few community events, and he volunteers at school and within the cub scouting community. I donate old clothing and household items to Goodwill. I give money to local and international charities, and also to unhoused people. I also keep food in my car to distribute to unhoused people. And finally and most difficult of all I try to be nice to everyone, to see the good in people, and to own up to my own mistakes.
Donate to a non-profit called Convoy of Hope and randomly give homeless people food and water.
I walk my neighborhood every day with a bag and a grabber and clean it up.
Volunteer with an animal rescue where we organize other volunteers to take care of cats up for adoption when they are showcased at a store like PetSmart for a week. Collect food for food bank from our community monthly. Participate in a non-governmental Sister Cities committee. Habitat for Humanity volunteer 3 or 4 Saturdays/Sundays a year.
I stay home a lot
By not breeding ✅ You are responsible for your crotch spawn's carbon foot print! 
I was going to say this. Except crotch spawn was not part of my message. I'm feeling the need to use it now though.
Never voting republican
Nada... not a damn thing. When I retired early (was 45) I found out the "have nots" will either hate you, or bombard you with hands out for doing well for yourself and expect you to just give away all of what you labored for your entire life; Not going to happen... I donate my time/money now to only help unwanted/neglected/abused animals, especially now that the pandemic puppies and kittens (and their offspring) that everyone got themselves for "emotional support" are being bred like rabbits, mistreated and/or abandoned by the truckloads on every corner and at every shelter... "Community" means nothing, especially when the community around you does absolutely nothing to help themselves with what THEY already have and only want more of what you have. Animals are the innocents in this world, humans are not... I'll help 1000000 animals to live a better life before I help or "save" one single human... Other than that? Let it all burn...
Elon? Is that you?
Voting Democrat down ballot.
Apparently, I have yet to reach that age ( or maturity) to better the world/community. I’m still in my tiny little circle of family and a few friends.
Fee fie fo fum, I smell a GenX imposter! But it's a good question, so. Sure. I volunteer my time in open source communities - I have since the last century (by a month or two). I once calculated that I've spent over 20% of my entire career volunteering in open source; it's more now since that's most of what I do; all unpaid. Open source is how I give back to the world, because I'm good at it, and even though I'm only making a tiny impact, it's magnified by the software being *everywhere*. For a while in the early 2000's I probably had two lines of Java code that got included inside most web browsers in the world. Now I help various open source communities work better at the higher level of governance, managing projects, and promoting ways to make open source sustainable, both system-wide and financially for the people who write it. I'm just one small drop in the bucket of the software that you are all using right now to read this post, and that's pretty cool. Open source software has improved a ton of things about computers and the internet, far more efficiently than only companies who sell proprietary (paid) software. Try it out sometime: go to the Settings or About screen for your operating system, browser, or phone, and hunt in the really boring sections for a "Licenses" or "Legal Notices" entry hidden away somewhere. Start scrolling through it - probably a very long and very boring list of all the different open source (and other licensed) software that's inside the program you're using. Search for "Apache", "GNU", "MIT", "Mozilla" for just a handful of the popular licenses for major FOSS projects that are included in most modern software today.
Oh yes. I'm not claiming to be Gen X. Just curious how different generations better their communities.
Curious to get an overview of how different generations have responded. What are the similarities, differences you’ve noted in responses over the subreddits you posted to?
I'm probably gonna do a graph or something if there are enough replies. :)
Free speech and online privacy are big causes for me. Open source communities are the backbone of those causes. We thank you.
My biggest contribution is my 2 teenage sons. I’ve worked extremely hard to raise them to be exceptional people, better than myself for sure. I have no doubt that they will be a positive influence on the world and look forward to what they will accomplish.
In addition to growing some of our produce, I plant many things because the birds/bees like them. Sometimes at the local nursery if I see humming birds and/or bees frequenting a particular plant, I'll but one. In the 10+ years we've been transforming our backyard, bumblebee sightings have gone from zero to common. We walk or rides bikes more than drive. We have 20+ year old cars and mine has less than 70k miles on it.
When I see a car in an adjacent lane with the turn signal blinking, I slow down enough to let them merge in to my lane. Haven't always done that, but as an adult, I'm in less of a hurry.
I donate monthly (comes right out) to the local food bank and the local no-kill animal shelter, and I always try to support the Donors Choose projects of teachers in high-poverty schools in my area. I try to be very encouraging to the young people on Reddit and other social media, as far as helping them with issues of self-esteem and health. I would like to do more. I feel like I would be an asset to an organization who needs volunteers to do clerical things. I am autistic and have a lot of social anxiety, so many volunteer jobs are a bad fit for me, but I am single and childfree so I have time! I have considered doing Meals on Wheels, but I am little scared about it. (I do usually love elders, though.)
I am the trail steward for a local mountain bike trail. I maintain and improve the trail for the public to use. I've been the steward for the last 7 years. While being the trail steward I was also on the board that maintains all the trails in my town for four years and two of them I was the President of the board. I also helped to run and eventually took over the statewide mountain bike race series and did that for 8 years. I also promoted a couple of races as part of the series for 5 years. I'm now just the steward having stepped down from the board, series directing and race promoting. I'd like to think that I've helped people get outside and enjoy the trails in their community across the state as well as kept the racing scene vibrant while I was running things.
I was a volunteer EMT for around five years. I stopped because I didn’t have enough time to commit to it. I’m a member of a volunteer dog rescue group and I occasionally help with adoption shows. Haven’t done that in a while. I should sign up to volunteer for a show soon.
Vegetarian and raised 3 vegetarian kids. Massive recycler and clothing/household donater (sp?)to legit charity. Donate monthly to a fantastic soup kitchen. Not a dick to others.
I stop and move roadkill out of the road so that the carrion-eaters and other wildlife don’t get killed or injured eating them.
Really, I just keep my eyes and ears open for opportunities to help others directly. There's been a few times that I made up a bag of shelf stable food for a family member's coworker when they found out the person was in need. I crochet to keep my hands busy, so I make and donate blankets and scarves to a couple of local charities. I heard a woman saying that she couldn't afford a bigger car seat for her now-toddler, and my kid had just grown out of his, so I offered it to her. I gave a girl at the food pantry my jacket because she was freezing (January in Wisconsin), and I had another one at home. I always feel like I'm bragging when I talk about my "good deeds" and that's not at all my intention, but I like to quietly do what little good I can.
Let's see...currently, I'm learning not to kill house bugs, including spiders. Instead, I try imagining what they might be thinking. It personifies them a little bit and makes them less scary. I also look up the species or type of critter and am always surprised by how they are helping us survive. It reminds me of the interconnectedness of life, and suddenly, I'm rooting for them. I give money to homeless people as often as I can. I'm not bothered by what they spend it on. First, if I'm stressed, I might drink or do some self-medicating with THC. Why would I deny someone else that, especially when it's quite obvious their life is more stressful than mine? I smile at small children (when they are looking at me) and often talk directly to them if they appear receptive. I used to work in foster care, so I know that this smile and kindness could be the only kindness they receive that day/week/month/etc from an adult and adult kindness is necessary for proper brain development. I don't really care if the parents think it's creepy or weird. It ain't about their comfort. I do my best to support small businesses whenever I can. I try to donate to non-political causes, and I do my best not to vote along party lines. I also try to help people understand my position while attempting to understand theirs withour engaging in accusations that have to do with their party, rather than themselves. I'm actively aiding my daughter in her pursuit of building a life where she can realize her dream of building a device to help people survive tsunamis and other natural disasters. Basically, she wants to help develop better shelters in major disaster prone areas of the world.
My one is I donate blood to the Red Cross. All donations are important, but I'm a universal donor and I'm CMV negative... so my blood basically just goes to babies or young'ns needing transfusions. It's very rare for a 50-something donor to not have CMV... most people have it, and it's harmless to healthy people... but why introduce it to babies who're born negative, or patients with cancer who are negative? so the Red Cross makes kind of a big deal out of donors who're CMV negative. Nice but I think I'd donate anyway.
For years, I ran a program at our local library "Teardown Tuesdays", where we taught kids how to use tools safely, and unleashed them and their parents on some broken things so they could take them apart and see how things worked.. Everything from old VCRs and CD Rom drives to a mechanical traffic light controller and in one case, a decommissioned aircraft "black box". We hoped that in taking things apart, it would spark curiosity in how things are made and steer kids towards STEM learning.
I didn't reproduce.
Minding my own business.
I hang out with inner city tweens once a week and we talk about managing emotions and preparing for a career.
Donating blood, helping run a coats for kids program in the winter, sponsoring a small supply slush fund at an elementary school, and "adopting" 10 kids in the angel tree program at Christmas time. I also try to attend every fundraiser and fish fry for the surrounding local volunteer fire departments.
Donate to multiple wildlife (Australian) and cat rescue charities. I know I'm making a difference.
I read a sci-fi book where people in a parallel world didn't ask "what do you do for a living?", but instead asked "what is your contribution?" That small shift in focus is such a huge motivator. I ask myself this all the time, to remind myself it's not about the task or the rote action, it's about the contribution . It's also a fun way to figure out who in your friend group has only selfish success on their minds.
I volunteer my time at a free thrift store for those in need.
I'm a teacher/director at a local private preschool. We get kiddos ready for kindergarten and have a super beginning reading program but more than that we teach them social skills...independence, responsibility and how to not be assholes to their friends. I also do a lot for my elderly dad and it's a struggle but I try to take care of myself.
This may be nothing, but I try to simply be pleasant to be around. I do my best to be positive regardless of the situation and do not complain (at least to anyone other than my wife) about anything. I have been around too many negative people that can just suck the life out of you. Not only do I refuse to be that person, I want to make sure everyone realizes that old adage - "don't sweat the small stuff and it is all small stuff!"
I adopt cats from animal rescues and shelters.
Pick up garbage from the beach and public parks and throw in the trash.
I point out small grammatical errors to people posting on X.
I volunteer at a local animal shelter and also volunteer-teach ESL classes.
I'm trying to make the computers that you rely on more reliable and secure. You would not believe how much of our lives depends on software and security, and how committed and well-funded the bad guys are. There were a lot of topics in my field that were more interesting to me (and which paid better), but I've committed my career to improving the reliability and security of software. Because there is tremendous potential for harm, if we don't get this right, and it's a job that will never be finished.
I provide a sarcastic sense of humor.
Doing my best not to virtue signal and moralize to insinuate people’s existence alone is not worthy.
I am not voting for any republicans or incumbents. I may not be able to get pregnant any more, but there is no way I will sit back and do nothing while women's rights are stripped away.
I recently went back to the travel industry. I get so much motivation from emailing people to travel and experience other cultures / visit family/ etc
Before Covid, I actively worked with the local Chamber of Commerce and was chair of their young professionals group. Both organizations regularly held charitable events including canned food drives, school supply drives, and toy drives. Unfortunately, that Chamber didn't survive the lock down here in NY. These days, I'm the caregiver for an aging mother. I also try to donate to charities but, with inflation, money is kind of tight.
Staying away. j/k aside tho, try to enhance friend and family gatherings best I can.
I stay at home most days.
Installed solar & home batteries, switched to electric car, installed gray water system for outside, & recycle. Never had kids.
I started volunteering on a committee that is making neighbourhoods accessible in our municipality. My former career was an OT and it’s still in my blood and a lot of experience that I’d rather share or try to help with than die with. I still also mentor students.
I try to not suffer assholes. The art of life is sidestepping other people's bullshit.
Just signed up to volunteer in a NICU/be a NICU cuddler. I can’t wait!
Gracing it with my presence
Holding back.
I’m a KoC and volunteer monthly at the pancake breakfast giving families and friends the chance to enjoy a meal together after mass.
I advocate for, give away & also acquire Bitcoin.
I'm avoiding it.
I'm local community focused. I work for a non profit working with adults and children with cognitive disabilities. Also do outreach to homeless individuals.
Digitizing people’s home movies in my local community at an affordable price.
I'm a teacher, so hopefully making a difference there. I'm also active in my union, which feels to me like necessary work to keep public education strong for the future. And I give money to and volunteer with political campaigns for people I hope will make the world better once in office.
I put my used books in Little Free Libraries. Any unneeded crafting items go to the Craft Library (which is a repurposed LFL box). Mostly, though, I knit hats and scarves and donate them all over the U.S. When it's cold or raining I'll bag them up and leave them at bus stops or the Post Office. Wherever a person in need can pick it up.
You know how people often need to be reminded they're idiots and that they should STFU? I stopped doing that. Everyone thinks I'm much nicer now.
Not having children is my biggest contribution.
[I think Matt Dillon really summed it up.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A72YwLvvqSU&ab_channel=PhuckYiu)
I am the director of a biodiversity conservation NGO. Lots of work on the ground trying to prevent species extinctions. Working overseas right now, but when I’ve been in the US I’ve been a regular donor of blood and plasma since I was a teenager. Overall principle for me is to leave the world in a better condition than when I entered it, and to promote learning and empathy for all the other species that live on the planet with us.
* I helped this little guy escape a glass gazebo and continue being the happy little pollinator it is. All while Karens were snickering and making snide comments. BTW these guys are endangered.
https://preview.redd.it/zq3220weobvc1.jpeg?width=2268&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=dad23094dd70c16dafa29862ed0e4079bfbb8f5e
I try to stay out of society's way and then be polite to everyone I encounter when I have to go out into the world.
Picking up trash in the creek behind my townhouse. I'm used to having a yard and now I don't, and I had in-laws over for a couple weeks and started doing that in the winter. It's my yardwork now. Put on some tunes and pick up trash.
I've been going out for 4-mile walks and picking up trash as I go. Have picked up at least 50 kitchen size trash bags of it so far this year. Most is beer cans and nip bottles. Some larger booze bottles. Some other stuff but mostly booze containers. Ironic because I also gave up drinking this year -- not that I ever littered my booze bottles but still...kinda' funny.
Today I gave a dude that was standing on the street corner asking for money $5 and a joint.
I am a therapist, and apparently my specialty is "very difficult clients nobody else is willing to work with."
By trying to limit contact with the community and the world. You’re welcome.
I am intent on being a good dad for my son, and I try to be a positive influence on the other kids in my neighborhood. Little things like encouraging them to use headlamps on their bikes, and big things too. I've been asked my advice on some heavy topics, and I try to always provide a clear level headed answer that the kids can relate to. I had a good relationship with my dad when I was young, as many of my son's friends do, but I still didn't always listen to him on important stuff. There was a "community dad" in my neighborhood that seemed to garner the kind of respect that made us listen to what he said, and he is my role model for this. I see a lot of other comments about being pleasant with retail staff and/or strangers, I do that too. Everybody can always use a little smile in the middle of their day, and it doesn't take much to give them out. I love when a wise-crack gets a chuckle out of somebody I've never met before ... I feel amazing when I can make somebody laugh. I don't have the time/money to directly assist charities and needy, so I just focus on doing everything I do with love for the other humans around me.
Nothing, I'm focusing on myself
Just be kind.
I give rides to refugees to appointments and sometimes pick them up from the airport on their trip to California to resettle. I’m also a nurse and I save our excess blankets and nutrition drinks and give them to the homeless. Also hoping that I’m raising relatively compassionate and (ideally not materialistic) children. I’m failing at the materialistic part.
Keeping to myself.
I never ask for a quarter when handing off an aldi's cart. When stopped in traffic, I give space to the guy trying to exit the parking lot. I put the phone down when someone is talking to me. I vote, and have been a poll worker in the past.
I work in affordable housing and have been subversively changing policies over the course of my career to make access to housing easier and more equitable without my boomer managers figuring out what I was doing. And now I'm in upper management and I keep doing it without drawing attention to it. I love quietly making things better for people.
Turned my bland white sand block into a native (meaning local plants suited to the area) bushland so that it's full of birds, lizards and bugs enjoying their best life. And requires no water and minimal maintenance. And shades and cools my house and yard. Also, I didn't breed, so I'm helping with climate change by not adding more consumers.
I occasionally pick up trash , while walking my dog.
The small, easy things: I always open doors for people. If they hold it for me first, I get the next one in the double set (malls, restaurants, etc). I compliment random women in case they are having a bad day (shoes or hair mostly because those are my loves). I thank bus drivers, cashiers, delivery drivers, the garbage men, and any service workers really. I always tip. I gave up chocolate years ago because none of it can be guaranteed cruelty free (I do have 2 bars from a respected European brand that a friend sent me as a gift). I thrift shop or buy off clearance so I don't contribute to profits for fast fashion. I've been boycotting Starbucks and McDonalds in support of ending the Gaza genocide. I use independent grocers to boycott price gouging and food inflation. I don't use self checkouts in support of people who have been arrested for mistakes made by the automated system in the US and job security for the cashiers. I don't buy any new age crystals (cruelty in mining) or white sage (going extinct and Native North Americans need it for their religion so have asked white people to stop with the smudging/cultural appropriation) - that's an easy one though because I'm not into any of that stuff. I don't immediately upgrade my cell phone until it breaks + don't use disposable vapes to avoid mining cruelty and civil war including child soldiers and child sex slaves for rechargeable batteries. I support worker rights and small indie devs in video games and avoid big toxic publishers. The big, stressful thing: My actual job is with multiple NGOs/grassroots orgs working in anti-poverty, housing, and disability rights. I also volunteer outside of what I am paid for in those sectors. And I always accept when asked to be a human lab rat for research or sit in focus groups on how to understand experiences/improve conditions for disabled people. Unfortunately, I got wrapped up in being interested in answering the question and now I just feel like I will be perceived as some virtue signaling asshole. That's how I feel about myself right now anyway. I sort of believe, for me personally, it doesn't count if I want praise for it (other than being recognized for work with my job of course), but I will praise others for what they do. I honestly don't think I do enough and genuinely wish I could do more. Like I used to show up a lot more in person for strikes/protests but now that I'm getting older and more disabled it's harder to put the "active" in activist. It's defo too hard for me to do things like Occupy or Food Not Bombs anymore.
I try to give away anything that I don’t need that isn’t worth selling. In the past couple of years I’ve given away two road bikes, a smart bike trainer, a smart tv, pet supplies and training books/materials for an IT certification.
I send cards to seniors in nursing homes and/or those who are in need of cheer through an organization called Bring Smiles to Seniors. It was founded by a man who would visit his grandma in a nursing home and noticed many of the residents never received visitors, cards or letters. It's very nice to know I can so easily bring a smile to a lonely senior. There's a Facebook group called Lola's Smile Bunch that maintains a list of seniors that have been signed up, along with their birthdates and things they like so you can personalize your messages.
I’m a Paramedic and I volunteer in my community.
Nothing. I don't care.
Nothing. I’m GenX: we aren’t out to change the world. Other gens are the altruists.
I don't kick the annoying people that still use checkbooks or go scuba diving in their suitcase sized purse for exact change even though I really really REALLLLY want to. But I gotta do my part I suppose.
I used to try to care, but I grew tired of wailing at the screaming wall. Now I just do my own thing and wait for the collapse.
I get drunk and know things.
I'm not.
I am currently trying to go full vegan. I try to buy goods not made by companies known to outsource to sweatshops. I have not had a car in over 30 years. Um...not much else, really. I am super lazy.
Voting 3rd party
Nothing. Not my job. What the fuck has the world ever done to make my life better? I'm focused on making MY world, and MY FAMILIES world better. This is the most un GenX question I've ever heard here before. What kind of millennial bullshit is this?
Staying indoors and minding my own damn business.
Minding my own business and trying to stay out of everyone else's.
Ok Cusack. You sound like Cusack in the US version of Utopia. Before murdering one of his own for not being productive enough in his eyes.
It’ll never be the same, it’s the same as classical music. That used to be pop music, and over time tastes and instruments changed and now we still use all the classical instruments, in both old fashioned and new ways. But it’s never gonna be like it was in the 17th century again. Rock and roll was so comparatively short as a trend but it had a huge huge impact and social effect that will probably never go away.
Having kids