Project Decrease Worldsuck so far

[pegkerr]

This is what I did yesterday to make the world a better place: Yesterday was the belt test at our dojo, and I went to take pictures as usual. The beginners group were particularly strong, and so I took a couple of them aside after the test to show them pictures I'd done of them, tell them privately that they had done an outstanding job, and I looked forward to photographing them in the future belt tests.

Here's the sum total of what I've done so far, as of the end of January. I'd be interested in your feedback, too. Have I gotten you to start thinking about Decreasing Worldsuck? Or even doing something yourself? What has this project sparked off in your life?

Comments

[thenines.livejournal.com]

I really like this project of yours, Peg, and I think the level of thought and awareness you put into it daily is inspiring -- and rewarding for you, I imagine.

There are a couple of things that the Decrease Worldsuck idea has done for me. Most importantly (selfish though it may be), I feel so much better about people now than I did three months ago. But it's also given me the ability to differentiate between always starting something new and maintaining things that I started years ago.

Two examples: one personal, one professional:

When my Dad was diagnosed with cancer in 2002, and restricted from activity for the better part of a year, my Mom, sister and I worked with him to draw up a plan for a pond in the backyard -- and then we dug and built it at his direction. Once the pond was built, the water plants nurtured to growth, and the fish added, we moved onto other steps, following instructions and creating a wildlife sanctuary in their backyard. Two years later, Dad did the work to make the area certified as a sanctuary, and we all work together to continue the upkeep and ensuring that the animals here are safe.

Within my job, I run a department that's responsible for direct service to a field staff and volunteer base of about 2,000 people. Two years ago, when I started, there was no accountability or transparency of process for the department (of 1, me) -- there was a great deal of confusion, irritation, upset, and angst for everyone involved. (That surely contributed to diminished productivity, which in a nonprofit translates to fewer people being helped. I developed an open, transparent system, hired two staff, and now facilitate regular spot checks and balances to ensure that all is running smoothly and that the people we serve are satisfied -- which contributes to a widespread increase in potential happiness among all of those people as well as better performance.

I work on both of those things and a dozen others almost every day, and all are contributing factors to making life a little better for people or the planet. That's a really cool thing to realize. But thinking about them because of the Worldsuck project made me realize that my skills are best put to use identifying problems and designing/implementing solutions to improve the situation. That can't be accomplished in a day, but is still measurable progress.

My two big goals for this year are working on Learnapalooza NYC to improve community education at a time when it's desperately needed, and planting a balcony garden with heirloom and organic vegetables, so that I can save seeds and share them with others -- some of my colleagues are already interested in learning how to grow veggies in the city, so we're going to learn together.

Thanks for your inspiration, example, and constant encouragement.

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

I'm so glad that the ideas this project has sparked in you has helped you in turn. Thanks for letting me know!

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

I'm wondering how or whether you're keeping mindful of the stuff you do that's not noted on a daily basis but more cumulative. I understand how you don't want to put down "demonstrated healthy body attitudes and personal organization for adolescent daughters" or "modeled patience and attentiveness in work environment" on a daily basis--I wouldn't, either. But as impressive as the list is, I think it's still not all you've done to decrease worldsuck this year.

[corinnethewise.livejournal.com]

You've inspired me to start clicking on the hunger site (and related sites) daily, I try to remember to to freerice.com or Donate rice on facebook everyday, and I use little green planet and little blue cove on facebook which help protect rainforest.

[herbmcsidhe.livejournal.com]

Where is the donate rice link for Facebook?

[corinnethewise.livejournal.com]

Um, I'm not sure, one of my friends invited me. If you search the applications I'm sure you'll find it though. It's called "Donate Rice"

[herbmcsidhe.livejournal.com]

Popping in via ebonypearl

This is an interesting project, and I've linked to your tagged post on the subject, in order to pass the information along.

Thanks for making me mindful.

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

Thanks for your comment! Here are the two primary posts where I first developed the idea about the project. I try to post something every day on my regular entries, which I place behind a cut tag. Other entries where I talk about the project as a concept are tagged Decrease worldsuck.

[herbmcsidhe.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I had noted the tags, and used that to link others to those posts.

[gwyneira.livejournal.com]

Your posts have definitely gotten me thinking about decreasing worldsuck, for which I thank you!

Besides our usual round of monthly donations, one of your posts reminded me of Kiva.org, so I went there and made a microloan. I also sent extra money to Worldvision for the birthday of one of my sponsored children.

[katakanadian.livejournal.com]

Keep it up! I am thrilled to see you doing this because I believe it makes a difference. Even if you don't inspire someone to action that day you have planted an awareness so that next time they see something related they are more ready to take action.

[dreamshark.livejournal.com]

"Have I gotten you to start thinking about Decreasing Worldsuck? Or even doing something yourself? "

Totally! I am so inspired by your project! Okay, not so much that I have actually DONE very much, but seeing your daily DW reports reminds me that I should be at least thinking about it. Some of the things I've done this year (some directly inspired by you, some not):

* Put a link to the Hunger Site on my browser toolbar so I can easily click it once each day. Sometimes I click through to a few of the advertisers, which I think provides the site with more revenue.

* I even BOUGHT something from one of the advertisers on the Hunger Site. I hesitate to count buying something for myself as a major contribution to improving the world, but they do claim that it results in some ridiculous number of "cups of food" being donated to the world's poor (although if the donation from a $10 stainless steel water bottle buys 25 cups of food, it must be pretty thin gruel they are serving. But I guess it's better than nothing.)

* Joined the Wedge Coop, and have been shopping there at least once a month.

* Using reusable cloth shopping bags instead of store bags

* Using my own coffee cup and silverware at work instead of styrofoam and plastic.

Currently I'm working on getting together some decent donations for the Bridging charity, that provides free furniture and household items for families in need.

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

That is so cool. Thank you for letting me know!