How can I, as an individual, make a difference in the world? Isn’t it out of my hands? Isn’t the world too big for me to have any effect on the affairs of this world? Isn’t it too late to make a difference?   These are questions I am sure that we all have asked ourselves many times. It seems like an act of futility to believe that there is still time to make a difference and save the world.   The more we interact in the world, it seems that we are spiraling lower and lower as intelligent beings. The numbers of murders, children who are endangered, thoughtless damage to property, corporations and governments whose agendas are questionable just seem to be growing. When was the last time you heard some really good news?   There is no denying that there are so many challenges occurring today that can cause us to feel a sense of hopelessness. I want to be on the list of people, though, that stand up and tell everyone that there is still hope… lots of it… if we want there to be.   There is an old adage that states:   Life is what you make it.     This is as true today as it was when it was first stated.   If you want the world to be a better place, what are you willing to change in your life to make it a better place?   Do you want more love in the world? Are you willing to live in a more loving way?   Do you want more peace in the world? Are you willing to let go of the fear and let peace be a part of your life?   Do you want to end poverty? What can you change in your life to end your lack?   Do you want to end murder and other violence? What can you change in your life to let go of your fears?   No matter what happens in society or the world as a whole, until such time as we, as individuals, start to make conscious choices to eliminate the fears that feed poverty, illness, violence and any other undesirable trait of our society, little will change.   So what can I, as an individual do? I can’t stop the gangs or the wars. I can’t feed the hungry or get people away from living on the streets.   It may be true that these situations are too large for one person to deal with. The problem with solving these situations lies in the same understanding as any other goal process. When the goal is perceived as too large, it cannot be attained effectively.   The answer? Make the goals smaller and more manageable. Make the goals only a little stretch beyond your current lifestyle. Most importantly start by changing your own attitudes toward the events in your life.   Let’s look at gang violence. Why do people join gangs? It is a natural part of the design of human beings to belong. We are born into families. Families are our natural “gang”. When people are forced to live in an unnatural manner (without family) they are drawn to surrogate opportunities to ”be a part”. So often these surrogates become gangs.   So what can we do? Should we invite a gang member home?   Not at all! But we could look at our own “gang”. Our family, and make sure that there is plenty of honest love and communication and support. We can make sure that we add to the positive energy of “gang”. The more that we contribute to the positive; the more energy there is to decrease the negative. Let’s get back to living in families.   Another thing we can do to reduce the negative side of the “gang effect” is to re-join the family of mankind. I feel that we have all become too separate. We have let go of those wonderful interactions with other people, especially strangers.   We are naturally gregarious creatures. We need to interact with others. It is part of our design. Where has that gone? I don’t know how many times lately I have gone to the grocery store and been almost run over by people who didn’t see me.   Excuse me! I am over 6 feet tall and 200 lbs. You better get your eyes checked if you can’t see me coming! Or maybe they just need to get back into the world that is beyond their “safety zone” and start seeing what is in their surroundings; otherwise, they might get a stern lesson from life about the validity of their concept of safety.   We all need to be loved and appreciated and valued. Here is a simple thing everyone can do that will add to the positive energy of belonging. I guarantee if enough of us do this one little thing, it will reduce violence, hunger and illness.   Smile!        When we smile at other people in an honest manner, we raise the level of positive energy in our surroundings. When we smile sincerely at others, it helps them to let go of the fears that manifest separation.   Can you imagine going to the mall and seeing everyone smiling sincerely at each other? Wouldn’t that help to reduce crime and hunger? Are you willing to give it a try?     Have a smiley day!   Namaste Monty C. Ritchings www.powerofsafety.com