Two stiff-collared businessmen just made my day.

While sitting in a St Kilda cafe, doodling in my diary like the consummate dweeb, one took pity on me and struck up a conversation.

You look deep in thought, he said.

Nah, just contemplating another bliss ball, said I.

Property developer, he said.

Copywriter, I returned.

We both had little clue what the other actually did, but found common ground in gardening, good health and seaweed fertilisers.

This high fallutin’ businessman, previously discussing a multi-million-dollar development with his portly sidekick, told me liked to grow chamomile and strawberries on his teensy city porch.

Just feels good, he said.

The other chimed in about people’s skewed priorities, how he sees ambitious youngsters chasing mansions and Mercedes all strung out on stimulants at the expense of what matters: community, connection, nature.

Woah, I thought. Either these guys had secret hippie-approved conversation cards hidden under the table...

...or they really did give a shit.

I reckon it’s the latter.

They reminded me that most of us, (all of us?), no matter how we earn our crust, no matter if we go for sourdough or wonderwhite, just want a good life. Just want to connect with others and try our best and feel happy in our bodies.

And the smallest green frond on a business mogul's balcony is a hopeful sign. We’re earth people, all of us.

Except maybe David Bowie who was sent from the stars.

This post was originally written for The Moment HQ, which you should absolutely explore for an inspiration fix.

If you’re anything like me, you think big. 

But sometimes, thinking big (or, more specifically, trying to lead a deeply rewarding life brimming with love and creativity while casually saving the world) comes at a cost. 

Big overwhelm. Big despair. Big inaction. 

What can one person do?

How can little old me make a dent in this wacky, plastic-riddled planet?

Collapse in heap. Eat cheese. 

But the thing is, there are ways you can steer the world in a different direction - without having to head-up a reforestation not-for-profit run by dispossessed orangutans.

The tiniest positive actions can produce the mightiest ripple effects, and by thinking small and acting locally, we collectively do epic shit. Don’t believe me? Here are eight suspiciously easy and powerfully effective actions you can take today.

Smile more

Has a stranger ever smiled at you so sincerely, so sweetly, that whatever stormy mindset you were inhabiting simply… dissipates? Indiscriminate smiling disrupts despair and inspires people on the receiving end to have a little more faith in humanity, and a touch more optimism about the state of the world. Compassion is contagious. And kind, happy people are less inclined to pillage the planet. 

Lend a brother, sister, stranger a hand

The more we engender community and connectedness, the less messed-up and lonely we’ll feel. And the less lonely we feel, the less we’ll need to shop for endangered primate pantaloons and plastic wrapped beauty products to make us ‘lovable’. People you help pay it forward, and the World Kindness Index goes gangbusters. This can be as simple as holding a door open for someone, or as structured as weekly volunteering. 

Look at things and say WOOOOOAAAAAAH!

Woah! That’s an epic mountain. Woah! What a beautiful bird. Woah! Is that technicolor sky-arc even real? Marvelling at the natural world reminds us that it’s sacred, and sacred things are worth protecting. 

Work less

If it weren’t for the money, would you still do your job? Perhaps not. But money is essential for survival, and maybe even accumulating a little wealth. Ain’t it? Depends on your personal pocket dictionary. If you define ‘survival’ as a big house, two cars, gadgets and exotic getaways, that’ll cost you a pile of coins. If you see ‘wealth’ as an ever-increasing number in the bank, that’ll rely on well-paid, likely laborious work.

But what if your definition of survival was simpler and more frugal, less reliant on loans and long hours in the office? What if your definition of wealth was living in a supportive community, connected with family and friends, enjoying ample time to indulge your creativity and inspiration? What if generosity, goodwill, homegrown veggies and hand-me-down jumpers constituted your version of success? What if you worked less, while growing richer in time - pursuing a way of life that didn’t cost quite so much or look quite so flash, but afforded you a joy and prosperity no credit card ever could?

Yep, it’s tough. Our (western) world spins on money. But if we all took a couple of steps back from The Machine, maybe it would get crusty, rusty and eventually grind to a halt. Then the plants, insects and furry things will reclaim the world while we cheers to our early retirement and celebrate everything money can’t buy.

Have a yarn with an oldie

Not only are older folks fabulously wise, they also remember a time when less was more, life was slower, and people took care of their shoes. There’s so much to learn from our elders. Sit down and listen, kid.

TEnd to your insides

If there are things eating you up; poor body image, perfectionism, self loathing, guilt, shame or fear... get to work. Healing yourself is an act of defiance and an instrument of change. Healing yourself frees up your time and energy in the long run, so you can focus on having a wildly enjoyable life while being of service. Healing yourself is role modelling, inspiring others to do the same. Healing yourself, with a view to being a happier, healthier, more loving human isn’t selfish - it’s step one towards a better world.

eggs on toast

No one gets far on an empty stomach. Clarity, purpose and better decision making starts with balanced blood sugars and a sizeable breakfast. Eat up. 

That concludes today’s seminar in small, unassuming actions that slowly, ever so gently, steer civilisation in a healthier direction. Have more ideas? Share ‘em.