Our Opinion: Making the World Better – Austin Daily Herald

In a few days, we will leave 2022 and be a blank slate in 2023.

Every time you start something new, you have a fresh palette in front of you waiting to paint the surface of the opportunity.

For many, this comes in the form of New Year’s resolutions. It’s a moment to put aside our goals to make us better people in the new year. Often these resolutions include losing weight, eating better, working out, and more. These are all worthy goals, but in reality many of us have these resolutions. It’s that we tend not to think this far ahead when making decisions.

Not all of us, of course. We admire people who stick to their resolve. Goals are often difficult to maintain.

However, we also encourage you to consider the resolution more broadly and implement it throughout the year. I don’t talk much about being specific, but kudos if you go that route.

Rather, keep it simple by simply being a good person. better people.

Frankly, life is often a challenge these days. We are ready to fight over the slightest perceived provocation, and the combination of things, including the pandemic that we can’t let go of, has us questioning our collective mental health.

Unfortunately, there is no quick fix, but even the seemingly imperceptible little things can create ripple effects as waves across a pond and have a holistic effect on all of us.

Take the time to smile at the person who smiles at you at the store. Instead of belittling, cheer up. Say “thank you” to the restaurant server.

Be generous with the people around you and happily hold the door with your hands full for them.

Sure, by next year’s 2024 greetings, these gestures may go unnoticed by others, but they’ll be noticeable to you. you are making a difference.

That person who smiled at you at the store may turn into a smile that comes back when you need it most.

This new year, we need each other more than ever. Let’s be there for each other.