10 Small Things You Can Do To Positively Contribute To Society In The Wake Of The Election

Millions of Americans woke up on November 9, 2016 saddened, angry, and feeling lost. Let's face it, over the last few months, Americans of all political associations have been through a lot. Regardless of who you voted for, I think it is safe to say that this election cycle has been revealing, shocking, and educational. We can (probably) all agree that a little more compassion and love in our communities is necessary. Many have expressed doubt over what steps to take to try to "make a difference" in a world that is plagued by hate, sadness, and tragedy. The bombings in Syria, the Standing Rock protests, news of the devastating effects of climate change, natural disasters, gun violence, and the normalization of racialized speech, are just some of the difficult things the world is grappling with. While the things listed below are in no way "life-changing" actions, they are small flickers of positivity that are so needed right now. Sometimes it is the small things that can help make the world a better place. So whether you voted for Trump, Hillary, Stein, Johnson, or Harambe, everyone could use a little more love, a little more light, and a little more puppies.

1. Hug your loved ones and tell them why you're thankful they are in your life.

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Okay, this might seem like it goes without saying, but we often forget to voice our appreciation for the little things. Spread the love! Call your best friend who lives far away, call your grandma, pet your cat. You can do it!

2. Plant a tree or buy a new house plant.

You would be surprised what a difference it makes having something alive and green in your home. Planting a tree is just one more beautiful natural creation helping keep our Earth healthy. If you don't have room for a tree where you live, try buying a succulent or another type of small house plant, they can be found at hardware stores or even Trader Joe's for pretty cheap! Check out arborday.org for directions on how to plant a tree.

3. Take some items to Goodwill.

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Pretty much everyone I know has at least ONE item in their house they no longer need, use, or want. Pack up your unwanted items and take them to a local charity or Goodwill. Some of us can definitely afford to do a little material cleansing and help others who are in need! Winter is coming, and warm hats, gloves, coats, socks, etc. are in high demand in most shelters! Goodwill's website has a detailed page on how to donate.

4. Take a yoga class.

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As an avid yogi, I can attest to the power of meditation, exercising with a room of people full of positive energy, and just the general endorphin rush of a good work out. Many places offer introductory yoga classes for free, and give student or teacher discounts. If this doesn't work for you, there are tons of excellent yoga classes on Youtube that you can do right in your home. Taking care of your body is cool, and you might make some new friends in the process! Yogaclassesnearyou.com has a useful article about how to find local studios, do at-home videos, types of yoga, etc.

5. Learn about your local political representation.

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One of the first steps to feeling empowered is feeling informed and educated! Finding out who you local representatives are, what they stand for, where they're from, and what they hope to do in the future is just a few clicks away! Here is a website that will lead you to your reps: act.commoncause.org

6. Go to a museum.

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Few things make me feel as humbled and inspired as great museums. Be it art, science, or history, museums offer quiet places to reflect and be awed by the abilities of human beings. Many museums offer free entry for students with an ID, or "First Friday" deals with free admission. Go to greatmuseums.org to find interesting museums near you!

7. Pay for a stranger’s coffee or tea at the coffee shop.

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I think we can all agree on the importance of coffee. Pay it forward and buy someone's coffee or tea at the coffee shop. You would be surprised at how many will participate once the chain begins. If this is beyond your economic means, try cleaning off the coffee station at the shop! (It's pretty amazing how dirty some people will leave those things, and I bet your barista appreciates it!)

8. Volunteer to pick up trash around your community.

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Again, caring for nature is COOL. Whether you decide to officially volunteer (do that here: volunteercleanup.org) or go on a super productive solo mission- you're doing a bit of good that helps our environment.

9. Volunteer at a local food bank.

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With Thanksgiving fast approaching, food banks are searching for extra help. Figure out how to do this here: feedingamerica.org

10. Volunteer at your local animal shelter.

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I'm not sure if there are any problems that snuggling a kitty or a doggo can't fix! Head to your local shelter and sign up to volunteer. You can walk dogs, play with puppies, pet cats, hamsters, or whatever lovely creatures your shelter might be home to. Help make an animal's day brighter and get some positive energy from a furry friend. Find out how to volunteer here: animalhumanesociety.org