Do Something Small: Take Action

Don't just sit there, do something...or do something while you're sitting there!

I am not the only one who enjoys the phrase, "Think Global, Act Local." It may or may not come from a Scottish town planner named Patrick Geddes, Friends of the Earth founder David Brower, or Rene Dubos, or Canadian Futurist Frank Feather. Who knew that many people could claim they started a phrase?

No matter who started it, the phrase seems more important as I sit here writing this 2nd week of March in the year 2025. There is a feeling of unrest in the US, and I have my own growing fears about what will happen to my sons. What world will they will have to navigate as adults? What is there to do? As a mom, as a healthcare professional, as a citizen of this planet, which cause is most concerning? The environment? Civil rights? Education? Healthcare? Family? Taking action feels impossible when the choices are overwhelming and each one scarier than the next.

I heard a quote this week about the difference between winners and losers. According to the source, winners go through bad times and use them to move forward, while losers get stuck in the bad times. I am not going to call anyone out as a loser. There is so much for people to get stuck in these days, and I have spent years stuck in my own crap. Everyone comes out in their own time. Putting the term loser aside, there is something important about the ability to move forward.

Haven't we all heard it? Want to feel better? Do something for someone else. How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Want to be a writer, singer dancer, soccer player, etc? Write, sing, dance, play soccer for 15 minutes a day. 100 ways to change your life always starts with...do something.

How do you pick something when the choices seem so monumental and you don't know where to start? How do you make the right choice? I'm going to tell you there is no wrong choice. Wherever you are comfortable starting, start there. Don't know what to do? Write down 10 things you could do on post-it-notes, arrange them on a wall and blindly pick one.

Or put them in a jar and have a friend/spouse/child/drycleaner pick one. If you can't make a choice, have someone else choose it for you.

Don't want to ask anyone for help because you're too much of a control freak? There's an app for that, and multiple websites! I quick google search led me to easydecisionmaker.com. Simply type in: What should I do, list your options, and let the website make the choice. Isn't the internet amazing?

OK, so we've taken the stress out of decision-making...now how do we come up with choices? Let's look at some options:

Time

Volunteer opportunities are everywhere if you look for them. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Library

Arts Spaces

Mutual Aid Organizations

Food Banks

Shelters

Hospitals

Don't want to fill out a form or commit to regular hours? Some of these may require that, and I know it can be intimidating. So try this instead: Help a neighbor. This seems so small...but it's so important. Waving at a neighbor across the street is sometimes the thing that brightens my day. Offer to help with plants while someone is away, compliment them on the new wreath. Simple gestures of kindness can open the door to bigger community connection.

Maybe you're trying to figure out what to do with the extra books you've read or the 1-too-many boxes you bought of spaghetti (I can't be the only one). Little Libraries and Little Pantries are popping up everywhere. They are great ways to help a neighbor you don't need to find with little commitment.

Money

This one is easy for those that have it. Donate. Find a group that can do the things you agree with, and where you feel comfortable. There are all kinds of options: NAACP, Human Rights Campaign, Parkinson's Foundation, ACLU, American Cancer Society, the list goes on. Want something more local? Foodbanks, Women's Shelters, Foster Agencies are always looking for donations. Can't pick a charity? Put your top 10 in the easydecisionmaker, and let it decide for you.

Maybe you want to keep your money in the community giving back. Have you thought about exploring local farmers markets? Shops on Main Street? Local Businesses and non-profits are the ones keeping your community running. They are likely providing funds towards children's sports, library programs, and other local events. As a Target shopper in recovery, I'm learning how shop at the local consignment store in town and be just as excited about the stuff I find.

Talent

What is that local community thing you've seen that you want to try, or maybe you want to start? Is there a non-profit by you that has peaked your interest? Are you ready to lead?

I know this one is bigger, because it means creating something. I was terrified when I decided to start the Women's Open Mic at Flemington DIY. Here's the thing though: in your local community, most people arent' going to judge you for what you don't know, or what you don't get right the first time. I've seen it happen more than once in all of the community groups I've joined. It's how new things get started: someone has an idea and says, "I need to find the other people like me."

Things like Project Linus always start with 1 person who decides to do something. Have a talent you want to develop to do more with? Take a class. Google is your best friend here - but you have to ask it the question. You never know who you will meet at a class, but you do know that you likely both have an interest in the same skill. And together - we can do great things. Plus, taking the class will support someone local. It seems so small, but it can be so big.

I learned the beauty of local classes with an Improv class through Unscripted Productions. I thought I was going there to work my brain and flex my creativity muscles. What I met was a group of people who were introspective and ready to move through the world saying, "Yes, And." In 6 weeks we all made connections and shared an experience that would shape how we approach the world, even though that may not have been any of our intentions.

If you feel even more overwhelmed by all the options I just mentioned, take this list, put it in easydecisionmaker.com and see where you're headed:

1) Volunteer at library

2) Donate to a food pantry

3) Make a blanket for the hospital

4) Help a neighbor with gardening

Or maybe you came up with a great idea that I didn't think of - put it in the comments below to inspire someone else! I look forward to hearing the thing you decided to do!

Til next week,

Megan