By Diane Lang

Summary: Adults and children have a chance every day to make a difference in someone’s life. It really only takes one person to start change that makes the world a better place. Plus, when you help others you get a boost of happiness. Psychotherapist, Author and Positive Living Expert, Diane Lang, offers 25 ways to make the world a better place and encourages you to add on to create your own list!

What did you do today to make the world a better place?

Whether you are an adult or a child, every day we have a chance to do something special for someone else – to make a difference in someone’s life. It doesn’t take much time or money. All it takes is a kind heart and a passion to make a difference. Start small. Everyday do one thing for someone. It could be a total stranger or a close friend. I made a list of 25 different ways to make a difference. Add to it and make your own list. Then share it with everyone you know. It really only takes one person to start a change that makes the world a brighter place. Plus, when you pay it forward and help others, we get an instant boost of happiness. Remember, every day brings an opportunity to enjoy life.

1. Smile.

2. Give a hug.

3. Tell someone you love them.

4. Give a compliment and receive a compliment. When was the last time you just said “Thank You” when you received a compliment.

5. Listen – really listen to what someone is saying to you. Don’t think about your answer, just be in the moment.

6. Call an old friend you haven’t talked to in years just to see how they are doing. Tell them you miss them.

7. Say you’re sorry if you need to. Learn to forgive others and yourself. Anger doesn’t do anything but destroy relationships.

8. Support your local stores – buy local produce, family pharmacies, small independent stores. Keep the American dream alive!

9. Start a garden – plant a tree.

10. Treat yourself with respect – if you don’t, others will follow suit. Take care of yourself. If your happy, your passing on a positive vibe. Your positive attitude is contagious – share the wealth!

11. Be a positive role model – others will follow.

12. Share your experiences – wisdom is priceless.

13. Did you recycle today?

14. Altruism is good for the soul. Volunteer, join a charity – the more we help others, the better we feel about ourselves. It’s a win-win situation, a 2 for 1. You help others and yourself in one shot! Get your kids involved. Altruism, it raises their self-esteem.

15. Be part of the community – be involved!

16. Take a moment of silence to just be – learn to slow down. We don’t need more impatience in this world.

17. Eat healthy – watch what you put in your body, it’s the only one you got. Prevention is key to a long, healthy life!

18. Keep the world clean – throw your trash where it belongs and pick up others. Help keep the world bright and shiny!

19. Be supportive, honest and loyal to your loved ones. Be a good friend!

20. Ask people if they need help? Then do what you can to make their world happier.

21. Adopt a pet – a dog is really a man’s best friend – why? They give unconditional love, loyalty and help relieve stress. At the rehab I work at for Traumatic Brain Injury clients, we have Therapy dogs that come in on Friday’s and it’s the happiest day of the wee. They bring so much love, hope and friendship.

22. How can I empower someone today? Use positive word choices, positive reinforcement or bring them back to a time when they were feeling strong and high on life. Good memories brings a sense of control back to a person’s life. We feel happier when we are in control of our lives.

23. Be realistic – have realistic expectations for the world. Don’t expect perfection or you set yourself up for failure. Watch how your perceive the world. If you perceive the world in a negative view then that is what you will see. If you choose to see the world from a positive perspective – people will seem good, the world will seem inviting. The choice is yours – how do you want to see the world?

24. How can you help one person a day? Think of something you can do each day that makes a difference in just one person’s life. It can be a friend, family member or a complete stranger. Sometimes, we try to help a lot of people and get lost in the “Trying.” Help one person a day. It’s the Domino Effect, you make one person happier – they will make one person happier and so on…..We think to make a change, it needs to be HUGE and affect a lot of people. You can start the process of change and making this world a better place, one person at a time. Every day I think to myself: How did I make a difference today? Ask yourself that every day and as long as you affected one person in a positive manner, you’re doing your job to help make the world a brighter place.

25. Just be a good person – practice goodness, kindness, caring and empathy each and every day. Be the person you always wanted to be.

What did you do today to make the world a better place?

– Diane Lang – Positive Living Expert and psychotherapist – is a nationally recognized author, educator, speaker, therapist and media expert. Lang is extremely mediagenic and offers expertise on a variety of health and wellness topics about creating balance and finding happiness through positive living. Lang offers expertise in multiple mental health, lifestyle and parenting needs. In addition to holding multiple counseling positions, Diane is also an adjunct professor at Montclair State University and Dover Business College.