I believe our purpose on Earth is to elevate our positive experiences and lift each other up in an effort to make this world a better place. We can empower ourselves to do that. It’s not always easy and may seem daunting at times, but any challenges we face can serve as opportunities. Even just one small step could ripple into a positive, transformative, generational change. And it’s up to us.

So, how can we better ourselves collectively — despite our differences? I think the first step is to recognize our individual attributes, no matter how big or small, and share our strengths with another. As one of the most influential Jewish leaders of the 20th century, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, famously taught, “If all you know is aleph, teach aleph.” Aleph is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet; so, even if you only know the letter “A,” you have something of value to offer.

Be a light! Author and therapist Shalvi Weissman said, “A candle in the sunshine is useless while a candle in the dark is a powerful tool.” It may be hard to comprehend how we can effect positive change as just one individual, but with a positive mindset and one good deed at a time, it is more than possible.

Perform random acts of kindness every day. Give of your time and money. Keep a charity box at home where children can put a penny in every day to learn the importance of giving. As Gandhi famously said, “If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change.”

Be willing to demonstrate empathy. The only thing we get out of being right is being right. Showing compassion and empathy can create a mindset of unconditional, positive regard, prizing another as you prize yourself.

Offer positives to others acknowledging their strengths. Be interested as well as interesting. There is a quote in the Talmud, a central religious text for Judaism, that posits, when you pray for someone else you are given the blessing first.

Abigal Fagan, curator of the Museum of Everyday Life, reflects on stairs and how each step we take in life contributes to the whole. “I’m looking at my stairs right now… It’s not an object you can pick up and hold in your hand, but I think it’s incredible. It affords us the ability to go up and down easily. In that, there are abstract things like math, carpentry, weight-bearing loads and physics. There’s also beauty when you think of how many thousands have gone up and down, rushing or plodding, a baby crawling. The tread is worn in the middle. This thing is holding a record of our experience. It seems so generous.”

We have the power to empower ourselves to make this world a better place. When we elevate our own life experiences and the experiences of others, we just may start to see more clearly the many miracles that happen every day. All we have to do is look.

Dr. Amy Austin is a licensed marriage and family therapist (MFC#41252) and doctor of clinical psychology in Rancho Mirage. She can be reached at (760) 774.0047.