What do you mean when you say...

@marguicha (215492)
Chile
May 9, 2011 8:04am CST
I want to make a difference? To you talk about your home and family, about your immediate surroundings, or do you think of a wider scope? Some people talk about recycling a can or giving a kiss, others imagine saving the planet. Which one are you? As for myself, I wanted to save everyone when I was young. The problem was that I didn´t know where to start or how to do it. Now I think in small amounts. I plant my veggies (no pesticides) I teach my grandkids to be aware that they have to learn how to use what they need but not more, I recycle what´s in my hand (including the use of leftovers). I use the freerice toolbar every day to donate my 5000 grains of rice and play word games there when I can to donate more. I know it´s a little as the planet has 2 billion undernourished people. But I do what I can within my means. Could I do more? Probably. I often wonder and feel guilty at living so well. Share your thoughts on this subject, please.
5 people like this
16 responses
@jak2010 (1550)
• Papua New Guinea
10 May 11
Yes, I try to help people with their education by paying their tuition fees. YOu can do that or any other way that you do that you think that help the cause of humanity is a good thing. I work online and do all these things, the little money I get I help apy the tuition fees. Do not feel guilty, just do something do good.
@marguicha (215492)
• Chile
10 May 11
I hate the word "guilt", jak and it´s not one I use. We do the best we can and that´s all. And that goes for everything. I can´t do a lot of gardening at one tine, so I transplant 4 lettuce plants a day. It is the same with everything. I cannot pay tuition fes, but I can work each day a little at the freerice site to donate rice to the undernourished. And, I i just commented, my relation with the environment is not to use any pesticides but squeeze the bugs before they eat my small crops
@marguicha (215492)
• Chile
10 May 11
Don´t worry, friend. You didn´t hurt me and your command of English is probably better than mine. English is not my native language either. I don´t like the word guilt because I associate it with the church of my youth. Then everything was sin or guilt and I felt very bad when I was little thinking I was doing very wrong. Besides that, I know that we only do what we can do. I try to do as much as I can, but I´m not too generous.
@jak2010 (1550)
• Papua New Guinea
10 May 11
I am sorry , what I mean is this, you do what you can with whatever resources you have that you want to help those who are around or those whom you consider they need help that you need to help them. If you do what you can do and if there are more and of course this world seem to have more problems than what we can help, and if this happens and if you can do so much and yet see other in need, but could not help because you help already some with your resources, this time you do not have to feel that you have not done enough, that is when a feeling of not doing something for people would come, and that will also bring some guilt. I am using in this context that you do not have to feel that you are not doing for all, certainly you cannot because of the fact that there are so many of them, it is the job of the government as you rightly say.What you are doing is so generous that only few people have the guts to do. I am sorry if I hurt you. DO not be let down by this just do the good job. By the way, Englishi is not my mother tongue so may be I am usig the wrong word. Forgive me.
• Pamplona, Spain
10 May 11
Hiya margi, Me when I say that I also think about the times they force us to use all that plastic. Every time I use plastic and have to throw it away I put it in the right place and with a wish that it goes back to where it came from and that everyone is not harmed by it. I separate everything I wish I had somewhere to grow my own things. I used to delight in getting a Tomato from the Back Garden in the Family House and just eat it with a little salt on it. Well anytime I use anything that has to be recycled I think like that too not feel guilty but put a lot of love around what I am putting in the Bin and it will surely reach the right places. Oh and I don´t buy many Coca Colas either as they are too much plastic if they want Coca Cola now they have to buy it (grin) that way there is less plastic coming into this House. All I can do at the moment. I would give anything to see that what I try to recycle is really recycled and not dumped somewhere else. Great idea about the Games you play too may it reach a hungry Person and bless him or her many times over.xxx Hasta luego txiki.xxx
@marguicha (215492)
• Chile
10 May 11
The freerice site not only has games but also a search engine that uses yahoo. So, whn I dont feel up to play or don´t have the time, I still use it the 10 times enough to give me the 5000 grains of rice to donate. If I don´t want to search any difficult thing, I just go through them to mylot, hotmail or any other site that I have in my favorites. I will not get up from the chair without that rice. I imagine that as this is sponsord by the United Nations, it has more chances to reach the hungry tummies.
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
9 May 11
OH I don't know, I don't have any grandiose plans. I do make a difference to a small number of abandoned cats with my work at the rescue...
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
9 May 11
@marguicha (215492)
• Chile
9 May 11
I have also seen that you are a devoted mother, Dawn. And let me tell you that you make a difference here, at mylot
1 person likes this
• United States
9 May 11
Hi marguicha, I am a simple yet humble outgoing person who on a daily basis considers everyone's feelings. I do my best to give, despite the fact I cannot give much. I do know that when I can't use something I prefer to give to that one who can as opposed to trashing anything. I do recycle as well, despite the fact that it is required in my building, I do, do my best in assuring that recycling is handled appropriately. Although I don't use the toolbar you mentioned. I do have a giving widget in my wordpress blog for which I personally 2 - 3 times a week visit and do my part to make sure that I have donated my time to go to children in the arts in poverty areas. I also still do my share with The Ronald McDonald's Children Charity for which I have donated a great deal of years to. Since I can't donate monetarily, a few hours and or minutes means a great deal to giving to those less fortunate and will never stop doing so. Can we do more? Absolutely but a little can go a long way, in several do so.
1 person likes this
@asliah (11137)
• Philippines
25 May 11
hi, i am always make a difference and i am really different to other people.being a gay, i will make a thing for makes me better not just in my family but in my society too when i lived.
@marguicha (215492)
• Chile
25 May 11
I hope there will come a time when being gay is not "being different". You are what you are and that´s wonderful. I hope you help others though. Even a nice bit makes a difference.
@drasnian (548)
9 May 11
I like to think that my little actions can have some effect on the problems, we as a world can face. I know that recycling, or taking shorter showers, or buying organic, fairtrade products isn't going to singlehandedly save the planet, but I do like to feel like I make a difference. I'd like to also think on a smaller scale too. Little things, like helping my sister with her homework can really make a difference. Spending a little extra time with a child each day can help her go from a girl who's falling behind, without much confidence, to a competent, confident student. I've been thinking that I'm also going to volunteer through the "Pets as Therapy" scheme over summer - if you have a cat or dog with a nice temperament, you can take him/her to places like hospitals, to cheer people up. We own a gorgeous, friendly golden retriever who everyone admires, and who makes people smile. I think she could make a difference to people.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (215492)
• Chile
9 May 11
You are surely making a difference in more than one sense. Noone can save the planet singlehanded. In fact, if we want to save anything, we have to unite our forces. But if we do out bit of help and pass on the idea, we might get something going. My chidren are using less electricity in these las years. My mother changed the bulbs at her house. My showers are short and I have learned to make very good meals with leftovers. Let us continue!
• India
9 May 11
I never donated anything from my side, Yeah but i have probably helped lot of people mentally in my surroundings. At times when someone in my area is in problem or have needs help i always go rushing for help when needed. Even there are many small children of different families in my village. When we come together in some activities i try to give them good knowledge of sports to play in or to have help them in .. Studying or any extra curricular activities. When it comes to giving donation since iam a student. I donate by giving my 1/4th of my pocket money in my church collection. This gives me lot of satisfaction to be involved in.
@marguicha (215492)
• Chile
9 May 11
Check the freerice link as they are now helping India. All you have to do is iether play a game or use a search bar as I do. It is important that small children have someone older to teach them and take care of them.
• Mexico
10 May 11
Hi marguicha: I think these "small things" are actually the things that change the world. My way to change the world is by changing myself first and giving a good example with my way to live to the others, touching the lives of the people around me and helping the ones in need when I can do it. ALVARO
@marguicha (215492)
• Chile
10 May 11
I feel like you do. I have never been near making "heroic" things, but I try to do little things as they come by. And it´s very rewarding when You feel that one of those small things have helped someone.
• Philippines
9 May 11
Hi marguicha. Quite true that when we think of "making a difference", we associate it in a wider scope and as a result we get frustrated if nothing happens. I used to be that way...changing the world so to speak. Now to know that I affected or touched one individual's life in a positive way is enough. I know I made a difference to that person...be it my daughter, my students, the scholars I supervise. And it makes you feel good knowing that you made a difference, no matter how small. Not the numbers but the quality. Have a nice day ahead, marguicha.
@marguicha (215492)
• Chile
9 May 11
I am innocent enough to think that if we all try to make a difference in our lives and the lives of the ones nearer, and we teach them the importance of love and respect, there will be a time...
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
10 May 11
I used to use the freerice toolbar , but because of my busyness, i wasn't able to do so anymore. It was a nice site, where you get to practice your knowledge in word meanings while donating grains of rice to the undernourished people. How i wish i could have more time and do more for the poor people too, because in that way, i too could make a difference.
@zaga_cleuth (1407)
• Philippines
10 May 11
I do community services more often. But I realized that giving them nourishment in a day or week basis is not enough. What they need is education. It may not be a college degree or so, but they must learn how to depend on their hands. They must learn how to work, find a job or do a business. Of course, giving them fish is good, but, it's better to teach them how to fish. I involve myself with literacy program for out of school youth. Just because that is my way of helping them not just for a day but for life time. People must know how to live their life. Everyone deserves that. The thing is some of the indigent doesn't understand and know how to live their life to the fullest.
@marguicha (215492)
• Chile
10 May 11
I agree with you that we, people how know how to fish, should teach the others. Yet it´s more difficult to learn when you are so hungry that you cannot think of anything else. Or when you are so hungry that you have ceased to care. So even if the saying is right, the fish is needed in order to teach them to fish.
@moirai (2836)
• Philippines
10 May 11
Hmm... for me, it's the whole range, from wanting to make a difference in my immediate vicinity, to the whole world. Hehe. =P For the action part, I do what I can do, no matter how small. And then I dream of doing something more. Can't really do much yet at the moment beyond dreaming of it. Hehe. But someday, hopefully, I'll be able to actually do something towards that dream. =)
@marguicha (215492)
• Chile
10 May 11
I hope you do. Follow your dreams.
@mrgpk63 (444)
• United States
10 May 11
We can't All Save the World at Once and End Hunger and Homelessness. But we all can do Little by Little. Recycle and Save Energy in Your Home. Donate Food, Clothing, Money and Time. When You can. Never Feel Guilty for a Countries Government to not Help the Poor and the Hungry. We need to get a Message to the World Leaders about How We Feel. Then can and must do more to Help the Lower Income Class Citizens.
@marguicha (215492)
• Chile
10 May 11
I am sure that we can make a difference without being angry by how our governments handle the problems. Those are two separate items. I would love to see more interest in social items from my government but I can´t wait for them to start. As for messages to world´s leaders, I sign letters when I think it is important. They are usually letters from Greenpeace and the like. I hope they help. But that´s only part of it. We must take care personally of our environment. And much as I care about whales, I can only have a veggie garden at home with a mechanical pest control instead of using pesticides. In fact, I squeeze the darn harmful bugs with my fingers.
• China
10 May 11
so nice of you and you have a awareness to help others,well i feel ashamed compared to your consciousness level,i am happy to help others since i am not well-off financially,so usually i choose to do some volunteer activities and i think it's another way of making changes,i donate money when some big disaster hit someplace such the 512 Massive earthquake,Tsunami in Indonesia i remember i donate half the cost of living.i am a girl who have a frugal living and never waste food.I always have a non-leftover meal...
@marguicha (215492)
• Chile
10 May 11
I don´t have much money to donate and I´m afraid I´m not as generous as you think . But the freerice site toolbar is something that does not cost me a cent yet I contribute every day with 5000 grains of rice (which is next to nothing) for the 2 billion undernourished people in our planet. Recycling, using leftovers and turning the lights off when I leave a room have become routines that not only help the planet, but also help me as I spend a lot less in elctricity and groceries.
@smileonstar (4007)
• United States
9 May 11
Nice!!! you are very good with these. I recycle and give aways money to homeless ppl when I meet them... I feed the poor people most of the time. hopefully one day... when I win the lottery then I can help ppl in my country
@marguicha (215492)
• Chile
9 May 11
Try the freerice site. We don´t have to win the lottery to help. The rice is given to the poorest people on EArth so it won´t reach your country or mine. But just to think that I´m mylotting here, well fed, with a coffee mug nearby, while other people are starving, gives me the creeps. And this is SO easy! I live frugally in order to be able to save for vacations. That is luxury. But it also means that all leftovers at home are turned into something else equally yummy. There´s a saying where I live about each of us putting our little grain of rice. That is exactly it.
• Philippines
9 May 11
Hi marguicha. Quite true that when we think of "making a difference", we associate it in a wider scope and as a result we get frustrated if nothing happens. I used to be that way...changing the world so to speak. Now to know that I affected or touched one individual's life in a positive way is enough. I know I made a difference to that person...be it my daughter, my students, the scholars I supervise. And it makes you feel good knowing that you made a difference, no matter how small. Not the numbers but the quality. Have a nice day ahead, marguicha.