Thinking more about the Decrease Worldsuck project

[pegkerr]

I'm still trying to get the feel for this project, and what my ground rules are. It's a challenge to think of something new every single day. Somedays I'm afraid I won't manage it and will resort to clicking on www.thehungersite.com. I could probably manage something new if I had the cash to make a little donation every day. Certainly there are a gazillion sites out there begging for money. But the realities of supporting my family in the face of unemployment makes this unrealistic.

I can pass on information (check out Social responsibilities rankings for gas stations! Or Smart Girls at the Party! Or any number of socially responsible Twitter feeds.) Is that fulfilling my commitment? Or am I just lazily/passively reporting what other people are doing? Haven't quite decided yet.

Comments

[nmalfoy.livejournal.com]

In my rulebook, just a small act of kindness does the trick. Smiling at someone or holding the door for them.

[http://users.livejournal.com/anam_cara_/]

What about those small, everyday encounters? I had an appointment today with a student that wasn't going anywhere, and by using some reserve of patience I didn't think I had left, and letting an awkward pause lengthen, the student finally opened up. Now, I don't think I turned his life around, but I know, in someway, that our conversation made a difference to him. AND afterwards, I thought of your project, and thought of a post you made ages ago, about having a conversation with someone in an elevator.

Anyway, I think you should count and relay those sort of things too, like your church volunteering, little things at work, a word of encouragement. Sometimes the little things count the most, you know?

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

Absolutely all those things count, big time. Most of us aren't doing a THING on most days to Decrease Worldsuck, and seeing your entries is a reminder that maybe we should be. Passing on other small things that other people can do to help is maybe the biggest contribution you can make.

So what's this thehungersite.com, anyway? Maybe I'll check it out.
Hmmm. Okay, that's what you can do for your project tomorrow. Correct that broken link. :-)

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

I talk about it here.

[haniaw.livejournal.com]

I think that decreasing worldsuck is a wonderful thing but don't let it stress you out and make it a burden for yourself. I think "every day" would probably be overwhelming for most people. Why not give yourself a more reasonable goal - like three things per week for example. That will give you time to think of or find things that feel more meaningful for you.

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I've already decided not to beat myself up if I can't manage something every single day.

[mlion.livejournal.com]

I think that sometimes the smallest thing can decrease worldsuck. Things like opening doors, smiling, passing a hug or a book along - all of those together add up to something much larger than us.
And giving that tiny moment of grace and kindness is more than enough everyday. It's not just a kindness, but a reminder of civility and the connections between each of us. One of my aunts called it "passing the light from one to another"; the other referred to it as "giving a bit of God to another person without making a fuss about it"
And - I'm enjoying the links. :)

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

"passing the light from one to another" - I like that. It reminds me of Light in Dark Places.

And I'm glad you're enjoying the links.

[redbird]

If this were my project, I would count doing something I'd done before, if it weren't an ordinary part of my life. For example, making coffee for cattitude doesn't count; stopping at the grocery to get eggs and salami in case he needs to stay home sick might; and giving a stranger slightly complex directions would, even though that happens periodically. "Yes, this train stops at 59th Street" doesn't count; pulling up enough French to explain that they need the next station, or telling someone that they can get closer by taking a crosstown train, and reminding them when we reach the transfer point, does count as complex.

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

That sounds reasonable.