Some days, it’s hard to remain optimistic. Doom and gloom seem everywhere. But in the last few weeks, some of us have sensed a bit of a change in the air.
There’s a bit of hopefulness.
Some properly directed anger—anger at injustice, inequity, and assaults on our individual freedom—can encourage us to work for positive change. But stepping back and having a little fun while you’re out there trying to do good is also ok.
There are times when anger turns to frustration. Some problems seem so big that it’s hard to see how you’ll make a meaningful impact. When I start getting frustrated with all the big problems and negative narratives bombarding me on all sides, I like to look for what I can do locally to make a difference.
If you’re hoping to do good in the world, start in your corner of it. Look for ways you can make a difference, even if it seems small. Because, to tell the truth, it’s these small things, done locally, that add up to a city, state, country and world we want to see in the future.
Here are a few suggestions for getting involved locally, where you can see the positive impact you’re having:
Identify an issue that resonates with you. We have a lot of great nonprofits in town that address local issues. If you’re interested in affordable housing, Habitat for Humanity provides a hand-up for families looking to buy. The Soup Kitchen and Community Food Basket address food insecurity. Passionate about affordable childcare and early education? The YMCA has your back. The Snake River Animal Shelter offers opportunities to care for our furry friends. If you’re concerned about local politics, we have local political parties and nonpartisan grassroots political organizations that attempt to tackle issues that impact us in our everyday lives.
Volunteer. Once you know what matters to you, find out if you can volunteer for an organization. Let the organization know your talents and strengths to see where you might best fit. Volunteering for a few hours a month can make a big difference. Regular volunteers who help at nonprofits and political organizations provide reliable support that allows these entities to move their missions forward.
Donate. Your money can have a big impact. If you don’t have the time to volunteer, consider donating to local organizations. When you donate locally to these organizations, the money stays in the community, directed where local people on the ground know it’s likely to be most effective.
Stay involved. Remember that staying involved is one of the best ways to continue to influence organizations and policies. When you’re involved consistently — and not only when something “sexy” or “important” is going on, you’ll see incremental results over time.
We don’t have to give in to fearmongers telling us that books we read, people we love and healthcare choices we make are destroying the country. We can be involved in positive local efforts designed to keep moving us forward.
Miranda Marquit, Master of Business Administration, is a nationally recognized financial wellness expert, writer, speaker and podcaster. She is the vice chair of the Bonneville County Democratic Central Committee.