Expand Your Universe

Look up. It is time to be curious and to shift your attention to global and universal issues. Expand your knowledge. Expand your mind. Monitor global events. Become an informed observer. Even when it appears that global issues have little importance or bearing on your community, they may have an unseen and unanticipated influence or be part of a global issue that will ultimately affect the inhabitants of the entire planet.

You don’t have to travel to learn about other countries’ politics, geography and industry. There is a wealth of information at hand if you are willing to look. Read. Learn. Ask questions. Discover.

Learning about other cultures promotes understanding and may reveal ties to your community that you did not consider. Explore other countries’ politics, industries, trade, languages, social habits, food, music, and art. We live in a multicultural world, and in looking beyond out borders, we can learn more about the other cultures that dwell within them.

Familiarize yourself with the natural world and the impact we humans are having on the other inhabitants of the Earth.  What animals or plants are indigenous to specific countries or regions, and of those animals and plants, how many are endangered or close to extinction? What are the potential consequences if we allow them to die?

Understand that we live in a global community, and issues that affect countries distant from yours – such as political unrest, trade relationships, social injustice, natural disasters, and environmental concerns – often have far-reaching effects that can have a direct and indirect impact on your life.