Can this make the world a better place?

Question

Do you think that trying to understand where other people are coming from makes you appreciate them more? And if we just try to understand, we all become closer and care more? Can just a little bit of human kindness to others make a difference in this big, bad world?

Answer 1

Yes I do. One of my biggest pet peeves is when someone judges me or my intelligence before they know me. However, I'm not so naive to know that this is something that will always happen no matter how much I don't like it, or don't believe it should happen. So I have learned to laugh it off or just ignore those who treat me or those close to me that way. Actually, it's easier for me to ignore the comments if they are aimed at me. However, if they are aimed at someone else that I care about or is close to me, I have a much harder time just letting it go and I will probably jump to their defense every time even if they tell me not to. Even though I don't think we should judge others, I can't say that I am without blame. But I have also found that once I found out more things about them, my judgments kept becoming less and less accurate. So I ended up having to apologize to that person and luckily, they accepted my apology and we still talk to this day. I do believe that if we do show a little kindness towards others, irregardless to their appearance or first impressions, that it would make this world a little bit better.

And you, my friend, are a prime example of how most of us should start trying to act. You truly have a good heart and kind personality. I'm so glad that we had an opportunity to get to know each other, and I hope that it doesn't end here. Thank you for everything! =)

Answer 2

Absolutely. It sounds like you may have lost a little hope in the human nature. If you ever get a chance to watch the movie. "Pay it Forward." It is about a little boy trying to make a difference. I believed in it so much. That's why I try to help someone, make a difference, ever day.
You know how you feel when someone shows you kindness especially when you never expected it.
You have a flat tire. Many will pass you by. Then one stops and asks what they can do to help.
Your Struggling to open a door with a handful of groceries and someone leaps in and grabs the door for you.
We've all had these things happen. A thank you is respectful. But purposely that day. When you notice someone struggling, someone needs a shoulder to cry on or giving a vagrant a buck. Will make you feel better. And you've paid the kindness forward

Answer 3

Great Q. I have some suggestions. No offense to anyone,,,just my long time observations and experiences.

BETTER is relative and subjective. Can anyone truly cause Global change? Sure,,,as we witness every day. Can WE effect that in the same measure? Maybe not, but we can Change within ourselves, evolve, accept, tolerate, and find a peace in our own small world.

"One other" influenced is like a stone cast into a pond. It can cause a RIPPLE effect that touches more than just the ONE, and even if you personally never know,,, the effect happened, and may expand.

Better, in the sense that YOU want to improve the world should start with you anyhow. As better is applied to your own life, environment, world, it can affect others in seeing how that manifests in you,,, and can even become exponential in how it spreads.

Kindnesses, often go disregarded, taken for granted, even abused, but that isn't a reason to stop trying to express or exhibit kindness.

I wish you well on your quest, empathize, and relate.

Rev. Steven

Answer 4

photonic beam,
"Do you think that trying to understand where other people are coming from makes you appreciate them more?"
It can. But it might make things worse.

Example: If you wondered why someone seemed withdrawn and like a dam about to break. Then you learn that that person had a violent childhood and killed someone, you might not appreciate them more.

So this idea is only going to work for those that you can accept once you find out what you can. Appreciate them more? What if you found out that they were a child molester, would you appreciate them more?

Human kindness? Maybe it's something that is high-minded, but it doesn't work in all places.

Answer 5

You are right, we definitely can change this world much better if we understand each other. But how much it is possible? The level of understanding in each individual is different, even my own brother comes to fight with me when he cannot understand what I mean? so people who lived in the same atmosphere find it difficult to understand each other then what will be about outsiders? The only thing is we can do our best by providing good education and cultural environment. I appreciate your good intention and let us join together to make this world a better place to live. let us understand each other. thnks

Answer 6

Great job for putting these kind of questions out for people to ponder.
Of course- you nailed it! What else do we have people as people if we want to live on this small planet together. I don't see what good it is for everybody to be indulging in anger and war.
Yes if we just be a little "closer" in simply understanding that 99.9999% of ALL people just want to put food on the table, see that thier kids/family are happy and unhurt.
It is only a few that can ravage civilization with the spread of war. They actually have terribly deep insecurities themselves that blocks them from the "understanding"- when they ply spiritual belief to incite violence, perhaps they will carry the responsibility to atone in the next world - whatever that may be, but the majority of us need to refuse this anger, protest against it. Refuse to partake in the bad vibes- except to face them in the secure knowledge of what is right. Then most importantlay as explained in the following article link... is that fact is discussed how war is the failure to organize peace... please print your self a copy to have and read closely...the content is meant for everyone...
Thanks for a great question! =)

Answer 7

i don't think you understand.

it's not that simple. those who try to make a difference lose out, through hypocricy... politics, beaucracy makes it real hard.

and if you get a following and you expose these things to make them stop so things will happen and you can make a difference.. the way it used to happen is you get bought out, killed, "missing in action"

look what happened to those civil rights people? look what happened to that little girl in the 80s who was to help bring world peace and end the middle east crisis....

a little kindness goes a long way but it won't change the world. it will change a life but not the world.

don't go for the big deal look at the small things, that's where it makes a difference.

if you can help one, that's better.

you can't help all... never try to, it's not going to happen.

work on simple things, that's much more rewarding.

Answer 8

Of course!! You are quite right, but the problem is that most people do not care, and are too arrogant or too insensitive to try to identify with others who are different or hold different views. People think that they are right, and anyone different is wrong. It is a shame.

The other issue is respect. If someone holds a different view, rather than criticizing them, respect their right to believe differently. This would make a huge difference in the world.

Answer 9

Yes your right. I try and look at things from other peoples point of view, sometimes I understand what they mean and change my mind but other times I still don't agree with them. I think it makes me a better individual as I am more understanding than people who just think they are right all the time.

Answer 10

As much as I'd like to give a deep, thought-provoking answer to this, I'm not going to.

I'm not because my answer is not going to make a difference.

Basically, it's cause and effect. It used to be, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, but that's not the case anymore. Now, for every action, there is a reaction, but it's going to be that much more drastic.

Keep trying to influence people around you and make the world a better place, it will effect some people, but it will never catch on.

The end is near anyway, so carpe diem, baby!