THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY!
TODAY’S MESSAGE
FROM
Discovering a BETTER LIFE MINISTRIES
(Stories of Real People, Real Events, Real Places)
Are dedicated to HELPING
PEOPLE FIND PEACE and HOPE
(John 10:10)
(April 23rd, 2020)
THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY!
Friends, the line “Think Globally, Act Locally” comes from the 1970’s. It appears to have originated with early efforts at environmental consciousness. The point was that people could help with the monumental task of preserving, (or rehabilitating), Planet Earth by paying attention to the elements of their local environment. If you want to help with the big problem, plant a tree! Don’t waste resources! Recycle!
This point about helping with big problems by paying attention to your own little corner of the world made so much sense with environmental concerns that the same phrase has been applied to countless other things.
One of the more famous of these adaptations was made by Mother Teresa. When she received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, she was subjected to the inevitable press interviews. In one interview, she was asked, “What can we do to promote world peace?” Her brilliant reply had just six words: “Go home and love your family!”
This diminutive nun who left her post at a Roman Catholic girl’s school in Calcutta to minister to the poorest of the poor in that city’s slums was surely right. While “world peace” is a global issue that no single person can resolve, every person who learns to love and be loved in a family unit is one less insecure and angry soul. One less person inclined to lash out and hurt someone else. It is one less human being willing to see others suffer without taking action to help them.
Friend, is your workplace unpleasant? Tense? Is it a hostile environment? Perhaps the ultimate answer to that is to get out of there and find a job elsewhere. But first, try to make it a healthier place by smiling more and being kind. Show little courtesies to the people around you. Be respectful. Refuse to get caught up in negative, critical conversations. And, if you’re willing to make this effort, perhaps others will follow your example.
What about your church? Have you been there long enough and served on enough committees that you know how deficient it is? Do you think this or that staff person needs to go? Do you see the flaws in one of its key leaders? Well, if this is how you perceive your church to be, let me encourage you to make the effort to find something to affirm. When anyone does a good job, compliment her or him. Learn to let go of the petty things you’ve been noticing that you wish could be different. You see, true love covers a multitude of sins.
Or is the problem at home? Are members of your family arguing? Finding fault? Are they spying out “greener pastures?” If so, try taking a bunch of flowers home tonight or cooking a favourite meal. Go for a walk. If you have young children, suggest an outing to the local park, where they can play on the swings. If they’re older, just ask them about their day. You see, to truly love people is to pay attention to them.
Are you one of those people who would like to change the world? Well, now you know where to start.
One final thought, in a world of people who often see us as functions and things to be used, those who love us make us feel useful, wanted, needed. And more than anything else, loving and being loved makes us all feel good about ourselves. More importantly, you may be pleasantly surprised to see how feeling good about yourself can create a happier atmosphere in your workplace, your church and your home.
Friend, if you would like to receive a FREE copy of an article to help you make this a better world to live in, simply write to Discovering A BETTER LIFE and ask for a copy of “Feeling Good About Yourself." Our address is:,P.O. Box 1540, Albany, Western Australia 6331.
Our E-mail address is: abl-alb@omninet.net.au
Phone us on: (08) 98 418 418
“Every act of kindness is
An expression of love, and
Everyone deserves to be loved.”
Richard Carlson,Ph.D.
Thank you for taking the time to read what we feel privileged to have shared with you today. We hope you have been encouraged and blessed.
Ron Bainbridge
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