People seem to forget that the best way to change the world and make it a better place is to start in your own neigborhood.

So, since I'm feeling a little preachy today, here's some simple things you can do to make the world better:

1) Pick up the trash in front of your house.

Yes, I know you didn't put it there. But who's going to clean it if not you? If everyone just picked up the flyers, and fast-food wrappers, and old discarded newspapers drifting around just outside of where they live, they could make an immediate positive impact on their lives with little work.

2) Bus your own tables, especially outside

You're not so special that you can't clean after yourself, even if there's people to do it. I can't count the times I've seen people eating outside just get up and walk away, letting the wind carry their napkins and papers into the air and all over the place. It wont kill you to spend a couple of seconds throwing things away.

3) Let those poor pedestrians cross the street

In most places that I know of the pedestrian has the right of way, so why not let them have it. It's not going to create world peace, or anything, but it might just make things a little more polite and less stressful in your town. it's that worth it alone?

4) Drop some old, unsed stuff of yours at a Goodwill or other charity center

There are people who'd be really, really grateful to have some clothes you no longer wear for whatever reason, even if they're a little worn. You could be doing someone a great service, and chances are you have something you're not getting enough use out of anyway.