Don’t let the larger world spin away from you

By Judy Miller Gerard

Wednesday, May 20, 2009 | 2:47 p.m.

We often speak of the world and the many worrisome, fearsome things that are happening all over, but when did you last give more than just a passing thought to your own particular little world?

We each have a space of our own which revolves around us and contains all our actions, thoughts, decisions, feelings, fears. It profoundly affects our own well-being, that of the people with whom we share life, and, ultimately, if affects the greater world around us.

It is a good idea to check in from time to time and see what that little world of ours is like. Is it calm, orderly, content, disciplined? Is it anxious, chaotic, frustrated, frightened? We all tend to swing from one extreme to the other, and then hover somewhere in between. It's important that we not get so caught up in that private world — be it happy or miserable —that we neglect our responsibilities to our family and friends, to ourselves and to our larger world.

We all need to be mindful of taking care of whatever needs attention, so we can move into a healthier personal and corporate world, because the healthier we are, the more effective we will be in helping each other and in solving the crucial local, national and world problems we're facing today.

So what are some things we can do to make the world a better space for ourselves and others?

• We can practice treating one another with courtesy and respect and teach this to our children.
• We can smile more and practice kindness wherever we are.
• We can take care of our home and yards so they are clean, neat and good for our neighborhood.
• We can maintain a clean, well-groomed personal appearance.
• We can help our children believe in themselves and have self-confidence.
• We can remember to arrange for frequent, unhurried times with family and friends.
• We can share some of what we have with someone in need and have our children help with this.
• We can read and study and educate ourselves and have interesting, worthwhile conversations.
• We can look for ways to have fun that costs little or nothing.
• We can keep our affairs in good order and take care of any unfinished business in our lives.
• We can remember the importance of drawing apart now and then for a quiet time alone.

All in all, we can learn to live well and help to make our own world and the larger world good places to be, for ourselves and those who share life with us, beginning now.