Six powerful paths to a more humane world: one day a client approached the then lawyer Abraham Lincoln passionately pleading with him to bring a suit for $2.50 against an impoverished debtor Lincoln tried to persuade his client from pressing such a trivial matter, but the man was insistent. So, Lincoln agreed to take the case and asked for a $10 retainer. The client happily obliged.

After receiving payment, Lincoln gave half of the money to the defendant. With the $5 windfall in hand, the defendant agreed to pay the debt and promptly settled the matter. It was the ultimate "win-win" situation. The client was victorious, the defendant had some money left over, and Lincoln was able to avert an unnecessary lawsuit.

Lincoln knew how to ease tensions, create goodwill, and generate harmony in those around him.

"Don't wait for extraordinary circumstances to do good," advised the 18th-century writer Johann Paul Friedrich Richter. "Try to use an ordinary situation."

Like Abraham Lincoln, each one of us has the power to think, speak, and act in ways which will make our world a better, more humane, place. Here are six suggestions.

1. Do small things with great love. This was the attitude and approach used by Mother Teresa of Calcutta. She often reminded people, "I believe that the great love that comes--or should come--from our heart, should start at home, with my family, my neighbors across the street, those right next door. And this love should then reach everyone."

Linda Lloyd of Salt Lake City, Utah, experienced the results of someone who did small things with great love. Linda was nine when her mother died. "When I got married, it was my mother-in-law who helped me get ready for the wedding. When my daughter was born, it was my mother-in-law who showed me how to care for the baby."

That mother-in-law's kindness has continued over the years, Lloyd explains. "My husband--her son--passed away eight years ago, leaving me a single mother of two young daughters. But I didn't feel alone because my mother-in-law was there to encourage me. And when I met a wonderful man, she rejoiced with me. She treats my new husband like a son-in-law, inviting us over for Sunday dinners and holidays. She believes that I was sent to her, and I believe that, too. I am her daughter. She is my mother."

2. Be courteous when behind the wheel. Sadly, road rage has become far too common, with drivers shouting insults at each other or making obscene gestures. Reverse this deplorable trend. Avoid becoming angry at the person who drives in a way which displeases you. Give that driver a smile. Spread emotional sunshine as you journey.

Before you begin your daily commute, bring to mind this exhortation from Scripture: "Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" (Colossians 3:12). Let those virtues be the ones that shape your mood and attitude toward others on the road. Apply the "Golden Rule" whenever you're behind the wheel. Do unto others as you would have them do to you.

The Automobile Club of Southern California suggests the following driving courtesies, which can help reduce road rage incidents:

* Avoid cutting someone off-Use your turn signal to show your driving intentions. If you accidentally cut someone off, try to apologize with an appropriate gesture. If someone cuts you off, slow down and give the other driver room.

* Don't tailgate--Allow at least a three-second space between your car and the car ahead of you. If you're being followed too closely, signal and allow the other driver to pass.

* Don't make obscene gestures--Almost nothing makes another driver angrier than obscene gestures. Keep your hands on the wheel.

* Don't start aright--Refuse to become angry with other drivers. Give them lots of room, cool off, and continue your trip.

* Avoid eye contact--If another driver is acting in an angry way with you, don't make eye contact. Avoid staring at another driver, because it can turn an impersonal encounter into a personal duel.

3. Be inspired by Nobel Peace Prize winners. The men and women who win Nobel Peace Prizes are unique for both their wisdom and their compassion. They're individuals honored internationally for their activities to improve the world. Take note of them. Pay attention to what they say (see sidebar p. 16).

4. Serve others, especially

those less fortunate. Devote some of your time to helping others, particularly those who face difficult and daunting circumstances. "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are," was the admonition of Theodore Roosevelt. It can be surprising to discover how small involvements can evolve into helping many people.

Aubyn Burnside was only ten when the plight of desperate children her age moved her to action. At that time her older sister, Leslie, was an administrator for the Department of Social Services in Catawba County, North Carolina. "Leslie told me how she'd gone with uniformed police to take kids into protective custody and because the police had to get the kids out quickly, they just threw clothes and toys into trash bags and whisked them away."

The image Of kids hauling everything they had of value in trash bags haunted the young Aubyn. "It seemed that packing your belongings into a garbage bag might make you feel like you're no better than garbage," she thought.

Moved to help, she did some research, discovering that there were 300 kids in foster families in her county. So, in January of 1995, Aubyn set a goal to collect 300 suitcases (one for each child). She put up notices at the library and grocery store and spoke before 4-H Clubs, schools, Girl Scout troops and churches. In the first five weeks, she donated 175 suitcases to the department of social services. She continued speaking and promoting the cause. By the end of the first year, she'd collected 20,000 suitcases--many more than she ever dreamed.

At 17 years of age, Aubyn's work continues. She is CEO of Suitcases For Kids, an international nonprofit organization that distributes suitcases in all 50 states and 3 7 foreign countries.

5. Practice earth etiquette. Saint Hildegarde of Bingen (1098-1179), Christian philosopher from the tenth century, noted: "All of creation God gives to humankind to use. If this privilege is misused, God's justice permits creation to punish humanity."

Treat the planet with care and respect. Don't litter. Do recycle. Thoughtfully consider issues about the environment and think about ways you can protect and help the planet heal.

One couple provides a fine example. Each day it is their habit to visit the beach with their dogs. They carry garbage bags and they pick up litter as they walk. This is a couple who loves the beach and makes it their business to care for it.

6. Take on the "impossible." Sculptor Henry Moore (1898-1986), made this thoughtful observation: "The secret of life is to have a task, something that you devote your entire life to, something you bring everything to, every minute of the day for your whole life. And the most important thing is, it must be something you cannot possibly do."

Rather than look at an issue and say "it's impossible, can't be done, there's no hope, it's pointless," look again. Accept the challenge. Rise to the occasion. Remind yourself that just because you can't do everything doesn't mean you shouldn't start by doing something.

Making the earth a more humane place isn't always easy. It sometimes takes sacrifice and often yanks us out of our comfort zones. But God calls us to just such a life, filled with love and compassion for every living creature in every corner of our hurting world.

PRIZE-WINNING WORDS Insights From Nobel Peace Prize Winners

"Nothing is too much trouble for love."--Desmond Tutu, clergyman and civil rights leader

"After the verb 'to love,' 'to help' is the most beautiful verb in the world."--Bertha Von Suttner (1843-1914), peace activist 

"Never look down to test the ground before taking your next step; only he who keeps his eye fixed on the far horizon will find his right road."--Dag Hammarskjold (1905-1961), UN diplomat

"A strong nation, like a strong person, can afford to be gentle, firm, thoughtful, and restrained. It can afford to extend a helping hand to others. It's a weak nation, like a weak person, that must behave with bluster and boasting and rashness and other signs of insecurity."

--Jimmy Carter, ex-president of the United States 

Victor M. Parachin writes on spiritual and health topics from his home in Tulsa, Oklahoma.