Leave the world a better place than you found it.

How do you do that?

Not by complaining. Protesting and activism, arm-chair politicking, those do nothing; they change nothing. They're futile and useless wastes of time. You'll never make the world a better place by grumping about it.

Not by running other people down, or placing blame or the burden of other people's sins on them.

How then can you effect change?

By doing. By getting your hands dirty. By wading into a mess and searching for a solution, then applying it.

It starts small. Look outside yourself. See a problem. Work at it until it's fixed.

Maybe your neighbor's car was snowed in and you have the means to get it out. Do that.

Maybe your local school needs volunteers to help with extracurricular and after school activities, and you have the skill sets, time, and money to help. Do that, too.

Maybe your community lacks adequate resources for the homeless. Instead of foisting the problem off on government (which is incapable of solving any problem, only making it worse), raise the funds for a homeless shelter or soup kitchen.

There are other ways you can leave the world better off than you found it.

Start a business. Employ people. Make a profit. Invest it wisely.

Pay your bills on time. Treat others fairly. Never take more than you give.

Raise self-aware, doing kids. Teach them to take care of themselves. Show them how to navigate a difficult world, then let them fly.

Don't expect others to do for you what you can do for yourself.

Do help those who are struggling or lack the means to take care of themselves.

Work hard every day with a focus on your purpose. Be cheerful and respectful. Show gratitude. Demonstrate love and kindness.

Realize that it's not about you, but you're the only one who can live your life. No one else can decide which direction your life should go. No one else can fulfill your dreams.

No one else is holding you back. You're the biggest impediment to a successful life: your attitude, your gratitude, your work ethic, your want to. You are responsible for overcoming the challenges thrown your way.

Don't shift the blame for your lack of success, however you define it, to others.

Do take accountability for your own actions. Then try to do better next time.

Only through fulfilling your dreams and purpose can you then help others.

Show up. Do the work. Be humble. Lift others up.

This is how you leave the world a better place than you found it.