Exactly three weeks ago, I started working on a collaborative project that had no name. I sent out dozens of emails requesting participation and quickly realized that I needed some way of organizing the emails so they wouldn't get lost. So, I created a tag in Gmail for this project and I named it with the first thing that came to mind: "Change the World".
Every time someone replied to an email for the project, the "Change the World" tag in my Gmail account lit up and it put a smile on my face.
Every time I got an contribution, it reminded me why I was doing this project. It reminded me that there are so many people all over the globe who genuinely care about this world and who have ideas for how to make it a better place.
In just three weeks, over 40 bloggers contributed more than 100 ways to live more sustainable, to live happier and healthier, to get more out of life, to inspire and share, to reconnect with our true selves, to be a leader, to exist more intelligently.
More than 100 ways that you can begin setting an example to be the change you wish to see in the world. More than 100 ways to make a difference in the world right now.
Please visit the page for Small Ways to Make a Big Difference to download the PDF ebook and share it with the world.
It has been a privilege to have had the opportunity to organize this book. The quality and quantity of contributions surpassed everything I could have hoped for and the real authors of this book are the contributors themselves.
It's my hope that you will find as much value in this ebook as I found while preparing it. This ebook is free and will forever remain that way. All of the content is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License, which means you can do with it as you like so long as you don't make money from it or pass it off as your own work.
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If you've been reading this blog for the past few weeks, you've heard how traveling through India, Vietnam, and Nepal has transformed my sense of purpose. This project is my first step on that new path; my first step towards helping empower people be the change they wish to see in the world.
With the release of this project I'm also launching a newsletter and I invite you to join our community of passionate changemakers and share your thoughts, your wisdom, your insights, and your perspective. But most of all, I invite you to take this ebook and start setting an example for others to follow.
Mohammed Ali said, "Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth." This ebook is my first payment on an account that is long overdue. I look forward to the journey ahead and to sharing every step along the way with you.
I am delighted for you that you followed your feeling and got this book together so quickly. Quick action can be very powerful.
Best of Success,
David
Hi Raam,
I am back again. I just read your book. There are lots of wonderful ideas people have shared in it.
I wish I knew you were working on a project like this since I just launched a site on organic foods and your readers may be interested in it.
http://buyorganicfoodinexpensively.com/
The seed of this site and the e-book came from personal experience when my family and I still found a way to be able to afford to eat organic food when we were unemployed and living off welfare (social assistance) for a period of seven months.
Everything is possible. When there is a will there is a way.
Continued Success,
David
Thanks for sharing the link, David!
The cost of organic food is definitely something that prevents a lot of people from choosing it, but like you said, it comes down to priorities.
Our own health and the health of our environment should not be pushed aside. If we do our research and spend time finding a way, we’ll find a way!
Be sure to jump on the email list to stay updated about future projects!
Hi Raam,
It came out fantastic! The advice given in the ebook by so many people can make a huge difference and there’s enough of a variety to fit anyone. Anyone can make small changes in their lives that can have a big difference not only for them, but for each one of us which is impacted.
Thanks so much for allowing me to contribute and be a part of this.
Karen
You’re most welcome, Karen! Thank you for helping make this ebook possible!
The diversity of wisdom between all the contributors is incredible and I really think there is something here for everyone. 🙂
So happy to have been a part of this and so amazing that you created this – yes we created this 🙂 – in the span of 3 weeks. You give urgency a new meaning, Raam! 🙂
And I’m so happy you contributed, Farnoosh! 🙂
Three weeks was rather fast, but in retrospect it felt more like three months for me! It’s really incredible how much energy and focus you discover when you’re passionate about something and doing what you love!
Raam,
You did a fabulous job, and so fast too.
I can already feel the ripples of good this is making in the Universe!
I’m so happy to have been a part of this most worthy project.
Thank you, Angela! I’m so happy you were part of this project too! I can feel the positive vibes spreading already (and I think my server is feeling it too!). 🙂
Congratulation Raam, on the launch of your e-book. The content is timeless and the layout makes it digestible.
Excellent job done.
Thanks Abubakar! 🙂
Raam,
I am moved by what you have accomplished. Yes, many contributed AND it was your passion and commitment that called us all to action and pulled it together with such velocity.
My hope is that today is the first of many days that Smalll Ways to Make a Big Difference travels around the world.
Sandi
Sandi, thank you so much! I hope to do many more projects like this one — more projects that bring together the collective wisdom of everyone for the purpose of creating something that is applicable to everyone!
Well done. I love the simplicity of the project.
Thanks Rob! I do love simplicity! The best things in life are rarely complicated anyway. 🙂
Thrilled to be a part of this, Raam. It looks great!
Thank you, Colin! I’m really happy you were able to make a contribution during your US road trip!
Humbled and happy to be part of this, Raam. Congratulations! 🙂
Thank you, Dragos! I’m thrilled you were able to contribute! 🙂
Very inspiring my friend. Great work!
Collaboration is so very powerful and bringing this work together into one spot brings so much consciousness and awareness to the good in the world.
I’ll share the love for sure. Let me know if there is anything else I can do!
Thanks Tony! You’re absolutly right about collaboration being so powerful –especially when we combine the reach of the Internet with the desire for a common goal.
There is so much wisdom and so many ideas out there. We already have the capability to fix the problems in the world. Since so many of us already want to fix those problems, we should be using whatever means possible to cooperate and bring about the change.
It still starts with us though, and that’s why I’m focusing on encouraging action on a small scale, a scale that we can all manage in our busy lives.
Hey Raam,
Very cool project and I’ll even share this with my newsletter if you don’t mind. I’m sorry I missed the deadline. It seems like you’ve got some great people involved in this project. I don;t know if you saw, but on the list of 50 netsetters you should know, somebody mentioned that you should be added to the list :). Good stuff you have going on.
Thank you, Srinivas! I would be thrilled to have you mention the ebook in your newsletter! 🙂
No problem with missing the deadline — it was a rather short notice and there were a bunch of people who couldn’t make it. There’s always the next project!
Thanks for pointing me to the Netsetters list — I hadn’t even heard of it until now. I’m flattered that someone would mention me!
Amazing! This really shows how powerful collaboration can be. Thank you for putting it together!
Thank you for your contribution and for writing a post about the ebook, Lynn! I’m so happy we had the chance to connect!
Thanks for inviting me to participate! I haven’t had time to read it all yet, but I love the cover and the use of white space inside. Most importantly, I love the collective wisdom of all the contributors. If I’m not sure what I want to accomplish on a certain day, I can just pick a page at random and try that.
You’re most welcome, Jennifer!
I love your idea for picking a page at random — you could even open up the table of contents, close your eyes, and just randomly click your mouse somewhere! 🙂
Thank you so much for your contribution to the project!
Hey Raam, congrats on getting this out. It has to be one of the best ebooks ever created. I’m so glad to be a part of this good cause and I know it will inspire people to change the world in a better way. Hope you’re having a good weekend!
Thank you, Hulbert! I’m really happy you were able to contribute!
thank you 🙂 I am honored to be part of your project :)…time to spread a little love 🙂
You’re most welcome, Ivan! Thanks so much for participating and spreading the love! 🙂
Raam, congratulations on spearheading this impactful ebook. The layout is simple and elegant, easy to read, and the content priceless. I hope it reaches zillions of people. I am honored to be a part of this project and to know you. I’m very excited by what lies ahead for you.
Thank you for the kind words, Sandra! I’m so happy that we’ve connected and that you could be part of this project!
Incredible job Raam! And thank you so much for asking me to participate. Any project of yours is something I wouldn’t hesitate to be a part of.
Now it’s time to start spreading the word around…
Thanks Earl! I really appreciate the support and I’m so happy we connected! I can’t wait to read more about your upcoming travels in the MIddle East. 🙂
Raam,
Wow 3 weeks to finished e book, that is awsome! Lot of my blogging friends are part of it, so I going to check it out. Congratulations on getting everyone on board to getting the final result out so quickly.
Thank you, Preeti! It was an awesome project to work on and I think the energy from all the contributors helped me blast through those three weeks. 🙂
why are you scared of people selling it?
I’m not scared of people selling, that’s simply not why I created it. The content was contributed by lots of people and this project was organized to help give everyone ideas for ways to make a difference. I simply don’t believe such knowledge should cost anyone money and the Creative Commons license ensures people are not allowed to sell it.
Raam, you are such an inspiration! I’ve tweeted this and posted it to Facebook, and I hope the word travels far in many ripple effects. Everyone was so generous in sharing their wisdom. And wisdom it is. Thank you, All. ~Julie
Thank you for the comment and the wonderful thoughts, Julie!
Wow..what lovely surprise..*This* is the day I’ve been led to your blog..I’m so happy! This book is wonderful–easy to read, full of insights..
Thank you for the energy you have invested in this project..and obviously in your blog and the connections you’ve made..you are a shining example of an open hearted person..
Joy, thank you for the kind words. I’m really happy you’re enjoying the ebook and that you’re getting lots of value out of it!
As promised, I posted about the ebook on my blog here: http://liverichly.com/?p=747. I also tweeted and sent to Facebook.
Thank you so much, Jennifer! 🙂 I loved the post and your contribution to the project!
I cannot even begin to tell you how this touched me in innumerable ways.
Living in a country where injustice and poverty is the norm, with crime lurking everywhere, where the average wage for an employee working 40hrs/week is $300 pre-tax, this e-book gives hope.
Hope that in the darkest of times, there will be a ray of light. Hope that in the people’s despair, other more fortunate individuals will step up and start change. Hope that someday, somehow, our nation will be peaceful, free from poverty.
I have printed this, sent a copy to my high school teacher, and I hope that she starts spreading it around.
Thank you very much to you and to all the people who contributed to this amazing project.
Mela, that comment touched my soul.
The hope that you describe is exactly what I wanted this book to do. Thank you for sharing it and for helping spread the wisdom and positive energy that everyone contributed to this project.
Raam! Just finished reading the book over Thai food after riding 30 days on my bicycle from Boulder to Nelson BC 1435 heart wrenching miles. I feel like Ive burned off three lifetimes of karma in sweat! Thank you for making this happen and for sending me a reminder about contributing, because it was the perfect moment when you sent the email to nudge me forth…and thanks to everyone who contributed, you guys and gals have rocked the universe with practical ideas to make a difference, so let’s put this to use and go for it. I’m happy to report Ive been a 260 pound vegan since 1992, so Ive got a heads up on all those suggestions and I can’t imagine eating animals again as a way of survival, but I generally have stopped preaching to the indoctrinated meat eaters, it’s like telling smokers to quit, they just get angry…but glad to see Im not alone in my sentiments. The energy comes from the sun into plants through photosynthesis, if you eat the plant you get pure radiant cosmic energy, but if you eat the animal who just ate the plant, you get already been chewed on backwash energy from the sun! Who would want to spend 8 hours digesting a steak and feeling like a rock in your intestines when you can bike up mountains instead? LOL
Wow Kelly, 1,435 miles?! I’ll bet that would sweat just about anything off! 🙂
Thank you for contributing to this project and for your continued support. I like your simple explanation of digesting energy from the sun! I never thought of it that way…
Congratulations on both your vegan diet and those 1,435 miles!
Hi Raam,
I am really in awe of your ebook – what a labor of love! I did a little post about it over at Practically Intuitive (http://practicallyintuitive.com/2010/08/02/small-ways/) and while I don’t think it comes close to doing your work justice, it’s my way of putting it out further into the Universe.
Many blessings to you and all those who contributed to it. You have no idea how many souls it will touch but you can be sure that it will indeed touch them.
Lisa, thank you so much for the comment and for writing such an awesome post for the ebook!
Hi Raam, this following post by Dave reminds me of your mission, you might like to check it out 🙂
http://traveldave.com/world/donate-rice-in-person/
Hey Dina! Thanks so much for sharing that link! What Dave suggests is absolutely brilliant — and so simple! I’m tweeting that link right now!
Hi Raam… am delighted to have just found your website.
Your statement of your mission being “to travel the world and develop sustainable abundance through living and working purposefully” is inspiring.
And this thoughtful ebook compilation, Small Ways to Make a Big Difference, is a wonderful way to put some light on your journey for others to follow 🙂
Welcome Cath and thank you for the kind words! I’m really happy you’re enjoying the site.
I pass all the credit for the ebook onto the wonderful contributors — without their help it wouldn’t have been possible! 🙂
Thanks for the read – I look forward to spending time checking out your (and others) thoughts and comments. Sorry I’m so late to the party, but at least I found it!
Glad you found this Radman! (My apologies for somehow missing your comment!)