Although we left the U.S. over 11 years ago, Thanksgiving remains my favorite holiday of the year.
Did you know, the more you feel grateful, the more you create things to be grateful for? What are you grateful for this week?
Yet, today’s world is in chaos. The media is playing on the fear. ISIS wants to separate and divide us and create a WW3. Governments are declaring war and sending out troops to fight the battle.

Where will attacking, hating and dividing lead us?
By doing what we’ve done in the past, we are only recreating history and reinforcing a world of separation, fear, war and hate. I see a world hungry for more peace, deeper connection, healing and love. To create something different, we need to shift our perspective. I believe it’s time for a whole new approach.
We cannot depend on governments and media to lead us from a place of fear, destruction and hate. If we do, we are doomed. The world consists of people, like you and me. We people have the power to create change. If we want something different, it must begin with us.

Now is the perfect time for each of us to look within ourselves and our individual lives and the impact this has on the world. It’s time to take personal responsibility for our part in what’s happening in the bigger world today.
This is where our freedom lies. This is how you can begin to create a world of peace.

Below are 22 ways you can change the world:

1. Stop feeding the fear. Turn off mainstream media.

2. Don’t get hooked in the drama of worst-case scenarios. When you feel this beginning to happen, change the conversation to a more positive note.

3. Pause and find moments of gratitude throughout your day.

4. Make peace on a personal level…with yourself, a family member or someone at work

5. Participate in an act of service such as volunteering for something you enjoy.

6. Execute random acts of kindness. Something as simple as smiling at a stranger can make a difference. Think of the impact this could make if everyone just did one kind thing every day.

7. Give words of encouragement to yourself and others

8. Stop being so critical of yourself and those you love

9. Pick up rubbish along your walk

10. Plant a tree

11. Instead of habitually numbing out in front of T.V., spend time doing things that bring you alive and give you joy.

12. Do something fun.

13. Laugh more.

14. Reconnect with your family through dinner conversations.

15. See and believe in a peaceful world.

16. Light a candle and say a prayer.

17. Do work you are passionate about.

18. Trade judgment for compassion and understanding. Know everyone is doing the best they know how.

19. Look that special person in their eyes and say, “I love you”.

20. Forgive the past. Forgive your parents. Forgive yourself.

21. Role model all of the above for others to see.

22. Work on your own personal growth.

The world needs more love, compassion, connection and gratitude. Begin with having more love, compassion a connection and deep gratitude within yourself.
Think of how the world would shift if we all took personal responsibility for doing our part toward peace every day.
World peace begins with you.

Where are you at war within yourself? What small step could you do to make peace today? I’d love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts in the comments.