Fifty-Two Simple Ways to Make a Difference

by Simon, Paul

• ISBN13: 9780806646787
• ISBN10: 0806646780
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-05-01
• Publisher: Fortress Pr

Summary

"Fifty-two Simple Ways to Make a Difference is a practical and inspiring book for general readers that reminds us that the little things we do count, and offers concrete suggestions for small ways of making a difference. Says the author, "I always run into people who have the 'well-what-could-I-do?' attitude. But small things really do make a difference. The longer I live the more I realize that the small things really are the big things in the long run." This book brings Simon's considerable experience in public service to general readers in a practical and inspiring way.

Table of Contents

Foreword	9	(3)
Preface	12	(23)
1. Invite a Couple or Family of Another Race or Religion or Ethnic Group to Your Home for Dinner	14	(2)
2. Invite Two International Students to Your Home for Dinner	16	(2)
3. Help Someone Suffering from "The Worst Disease"	18	(2)
4. Schedule Two Television-Free Days and Nights	20	(3)
5. "You Get What You Give"	23	(2)
6. Register to Become an Organ Donor	25	(3)
7. Join a Church or Temple or Mosque	28	(3)
8. Join a Nonreligious Organization That Has the Potential to Do Constructive Things	31	(2)
9. Remember Robert Reid	33	(2)
10. Find an Issue about Which You Feel Strongly	35	(1)
11. Become a Human Outdoor Clean-Up Machine	36	(2)
12. Be an Earth-Saver	38	(3)
13. Follow the Example of Bill and Georgia Carson	41	(2)
14. Volunteer to Help an Adult Learn to Read and Write	43	(4)
15. Do Something Not Associated with Your Day-to-Day Work	47	(2)
16. Visit a Nursing Home	49	(2)
17. If You're in Business...	51	(2)
18. Select a Developing Nation and Become Informed about It	53	(3)
19. Learn Another Language (or at Least a Few Phrases of It)	56	(3)
20. Encourage Volunteers for Overseas Assignments or Take One Yourself	59	(2)
21. Don't Duck Your Civic Responsibilities	61	(3)
22. Send $25 to a Candidate You Support	64	(2)
23. Attend a School Board Meeting	66	(2)
24. Become a Giraffe!	68	(3)
25. Don't Be Too Pessimistic	71	(2)
26. Visit Someone in Prison or Jail or Help in Some Other Way	73	(2)
27. Help a Prisoner Connect with His or Her Family	75	(2)
28. Working with Others, Help a Former Prisoner Find a Job	77	(2)
29. Remember the Most Valuable Gift You Have Outside of Good Health Is Time	79	(4)
30. Donate to Good Causes	83	(3)
31. Encourage the Arts	86	(3)
32. Listen to People	89	(2)
33. Help Preserve Your Community's History	91	(2)
34. Learn from Successful Leadership	93	(2)
35. Reflect, Pray, or Dream	95	(2)
36. Don't Say, "That Wouldn't Do Any Good"	97	(4)
37. Help Create a Sense of Community	101	(2)
38. Let Everyone Know We Have High Expectations of Them, Whether They're in Kindergarten, College, or Out of School	103	(2)
39. One of the Most Important Words in Your Life Should Be: Volunteer	105	(3)
40. Learn to Respect the Views of Others	108	(2)
41. Convert a Non-Friend into a Friend	110	(2)
42. Keep Track of the Extra "Little Things" You Do Each Day to Make Life More Pleasant for Someone	112	(2)
43. Become Familiar with Those Who Are Impoverished in Your Area	114	(2)
44. Expand Your Base of Knowledge and Expand Your Circle of Friends	116	(2)
45. Become a Big Brother or Big Sister	118	(2)
46. Help Improve the Home of a Senior Citizen or Disabled Person	120	(2)
47. Caring Should Result in Sharing	122	(4)
48. Be Sensitive about the Jokes You Tell and the Language You Use	126	(2)
49. Loyalty Sometimes Requires Action	128	(2)
50. Don't Fool Yourself	130	(2)
51. Don't Agonize over Decisions Already Made	132	(2)
52. Don't Let Age Be a Barrier to Doing Good Things, to Dreaming	134	(4)
Endnotes	138	(3)
About the Author	141