So Where Do I Start?

Okay so I have this theory about understanding why the world is the way it is and I want to use The Ripple Effect to start a movement for change that no one has to sign up for or donate to. I am definitely being influenced by the movie Pay it Forward. The Ripple Effect is all about taking initiative; seeing something that needs done and just doing it. If you see someone that needs help, help them. If you see garbage on the street, pick it up. Lead by example. In reality we are already living and creating a ripple effect right now - all we have to do is change direction a little bit. I want to make a 'big splash' so to speak and bring this concept to a large audience. I think people are hesitant to get involved with anything because they don't want to change their schedules or don't want to be inconvenienced. I completely understand that, given a choice between going out or Netflix, I would choose Netflix. But I also want to help people, and help our world. 

Take a big whiff of reality.

It blows my mind when I hear people tell me that they simply just don't care about the environment. Let me tell you why not caring about the environment is just stupid. Cleaning up the environment is not about saving the earth. Yeah, you read that right. Cleaning up the earth is about saving our own butts. Yeah pollution is gross and yes, it is causing damage to ecosystems and that's bad for plants and animals and stuff. But, if humans were to disappear right now, the earth would eventually heal itself. Sure, it would take thousands of years, but that's nothing for the earth, which is millions of years old. The thing is, we are screwing up our own living space, we are making our environment essentially unlivable for ourselves. If you live in a city and think that you don't have to worry about the destruction of the environment, here's a reality check: you are living where a once natural environment has been almost completely destroyed - you are front row center and it is only because other parts of the world are still functioning that you are able to even breathe, so let that sink it. No matter where you live on the planet, you rely on the natural systems of the earth working properly, if you don't believe that then you are kidding yourself.

No one person, nor even a group of people can take on the whole task of cleaning up our planet. The fact is, it's up to all of us. Every single person on this planet - especially those of us living in more privileged countries - is responsible for taking initiative in your little corner of the world to make whatever small difference you can. The main issue, as I detailed in my essay in my first post, is that most people don't care. They are too caught up in themselves, technology, and the media to look beyond and see what is more crucially important. So that's where we have to start is with ourselves. Do what you can to start caring, or even if you don't care to begin with just do something because you know deep down that all I have said is true. Even if you don't feel like you can really make a difference, you can. That's the whole concept of The Ripple Effect. You start something small and you will effect the people around you - you might not even see the impact you made yourself, but it will be there and the people you effect will effect others and so on expanding and meeting other ripples. Because everyone doing something small is a way that we are working together. 




Here are some ideas that I am planning to implement where I live that maybe you can too:


1. Before you can help other people or the environment, you have to help yourself. Do everything you can to feel joy. Listen to awesome, up beat music that makes you happy. Do something good for your body, relax, eat healthier. Stretch, and just generally take care of yourself because you are a starting ripple. When you go out, no matter how small, you are effecting the world and the people around you, so make sure you are sending out positivity and happiness because what you send out comes back to you times 10.

2. I saw this article a while ago where this cafe had a 'Pending Coffee' program where people could pay for an extra coffee or two and later, someone less fortunate could come in and get a free coffee. So I want to go to some local cafes and coffee shops and see if they would be willing to participate in this program.

3. Cleanups. Simple concept: either go yourself or take some friends to a place you know that needs cleaned and get it done! You would be surprised how many people might offer to help. 

4. Volunteer. One program I am applying to be a part of is the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. I think it would be awesome to get to be there for some little girl and help her, hopefully be a positive influence. I know they are really in need of volunteers because my little brother was put on the waiting list for a big brother and he never got one. I know that if he had it would have benefited him a lot. They ask for at least one year commitment and hope that you can be there for them until they graduate. As far as scheduling, its a couple of hours a few times a month - and you could help some kid have brighter future. Who knows how that kid is going to grow up and influence this world? 

5. Do whatever small thing you can. Even if that small thing is committing to not littering anymore - or committing to recycle when before you just threw everything in the trash. Pick up a piece of trash someone else threw on the ground. Walk to the store instead of driving. Or even if that small thing is being nicer to people and smiling more often - you have no idea how that can influence people for the better. Remember that old saying, 'a single raindrop can raise the sea' or to quote Disney, 'a single grain of rice can tip the scale.'


I thoroughly believe that people have the potential to be amazing and I can't wait to be proven right :)

Let me know if you have other ideas too, I want to make this work and in the near future I want to do something big and really get this going!



~Oriona






Picture credits are linked through the images