Saying everyone can make a difference is a blanket statement, but it’s true. The world is big and there is something everyone can do. Gurbaksh Chahal targeted the bigger issues: eradicating sex trafficking, improving third-world education, and raising awareness of cultural issues have been the targets of The Chahal Foundation since its creation. However, not all of us are in a position to go out and create foundations for the issues we are passionate about, like Gurbaksh Chahal. But it is still important for us to improve this world in smaller ways, starting right in our own communities. Here are some ways that you can get involved and make a difference, whether it’s for your school, community, or a larger scale.
Find an issue you are passionate about, and learn all you can
Something that really lacks when it comes to serious issues is a true understanding the problem. Many problems may seem superficial and easily fixable, but when you learn more, there are many more layers to uncover that will make the problem harder to solve. Before you try and find a way to help, the more you know about the issue, the better. Interview people, read books, keep up with the news. Learn all you can-and then share it.
Knowledge kept to yourself does no one any good. Once you get familiar with the issue, find an outlet, whether it’s speaking at an event, setting up a meeting with government officials, or organizing your own fundraiser or other outlet. Once you know, other people need to be made aware. Now that becomes your responsibility-one you should carry with both great pride and humility.
Become a Mentor
Many young people lack guidance, whether that’s in the form of a person or a goal. Mentoring is not only a great way to meet other people in your community, but it’s a beacon of hope for the future. Someone is saying to these younger people, “I believe in you and I want to hear what you have to say.”
There are many ways to become mentors. Whether it’s through a school or a community outreach program, you have a way to impact someone’s life. You are helping open doors and letting someone see what is possible, sometimes beyond their wildest dreams. All it takes is one person to believe in someone for them to realize their own capabilities, and see how they can make changes in the world, as well.
Get involved in local politics
There is nothing that says you have to try and solve the world’s problems like Gurbaksh Chahal. Start small, and more importantly, start where you live. Local politics may get a lot of media attention, but that is where changes happen. By having say in what happens in your town, you can impact a lot people’s lives-now and for the future.
Local politics give you a soapbox to bring attention to the issues that are most pertinent to where you are living, and you are still making a difference, whether it is to a community of 15,000 or 150,000. While politics can be a messy business, there is some beauty in the fact that everyone can have a voice in the policies that are being made.
Find an active organization and become a participant.
You don’t have to start from scratch. There are lots of organizations that are already organizing fundraisers, goodwill trips, or canvassing days at the nearest government building. Chances are they could probably use more people like you and me getting involved.
Maybe your friend is a member or maybe you just found your passion, but getting involved at the ground level is a great way to impact a cause that you have a vested interest in. Remember, the size of the impact isn’t the most important part of your efforts; it’s the fact you are working to making a difference, somehow, somewhere.
How Gurbaksh Chahal gives back
Gurbaksh Chahal’s most impactful quote is, “If you genuinely want something, don’t wait for it – teach yourself to be impatient”. Don’t wait for someone to ask you to help with something; you need to find an issue that concerns you and take the steps to make a difference. The world doesn’t change unless we want it to, and that requires us taking the lead. We are living in a society where there won’t be change unless people push for it-and that’s exactly what we need to do.
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Read more blogs by Gurbaksh Chahal.
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