AUGUST 5 — “I wish I was braver,” a friend said to me. He told me he felt like he could, should do something in the light of current events but he didn't know what to do.

What we as citizens need to remember is that we are not powerless. There is more to taking back the country than politics and you can be forgiven if you feel you need to do something but are unwilling to align yourself with a political party.

If you're unhappy with the direction the country is going, then perhaps start by immersing yourself in civil society.It is not about toppling governments, but it is about advocacy and action, finding worthy causes and pulling together resources to aid them.

1. Ask yourself, what do you want? What can you do?

What keeps you up at night? Is it education? Is it racial integration? Is it rising crime? Inequality, whether the class divide or civil rights? What can you do about it, what do you have at your disposal? Can you donate however small a portion of your salary? Are you willing to volunteer your free time, perhaps weekends? Even the smallest of things, if done by the many, can lead to bigger things. Never sell yourself short; we each have value and capabilities.

2. Find a community champion

They aren't that hard to find, if you ask around. For instance, there is Syed Azmi, the man who went from wanting to touch a dog to now touching hearts with his community projects. If there's one thing social media is good for, it's the ability to find these people who stand out, but while one person may be the figurehead of a movement, what you don't see are the people who help them along. Who do you know is doing something that inspires you? Reach out and ask if there's any way you can help.

3. Learn that NGO is not a dirty word

NGOs are often vilified in this country, made the scapegoat of purported ills. NGOs are nongovernmental organisations, bodies that might work with the government but do not work for them. Being outside the government trappings lets them see what people on the inside can't. Do your research and find out who is worth listening to and if they're worth your time, drop them an email. If you can read this column, you can find an email address or website.

4. Resign yourself to constantly learning

I know. You're tired. The news is wearying. But if the noise is bothering you, then just zero in on one issue and find out all you can about it. Don't rely on just one website, try a few. Ask questions on Quora. Find someone you trust, who is not going to benefit from not telling you anything but the truth.

5. It is better to focus on one thing than too many

Once you find a cause, don't feel the need to advocate for everything and anything. “You're protesting for whale rights? But what about the seals!” Do not let other activists or even people you know guilt you when you don't have the bandwidth to take on another cause. Do what you can, to the best extent of your capabilities and understand that even the best of activists were primary advocates for one cause in particular, which often consumed all their time anyhow.

6. If you can't protest, but empathise, you can help too

So maybe you want to join a protest but you're scared/been warned not to by your employer or school/working... for whatever reason it's not feasible. You can still pay attention to what they're doing. Spread the word. Visit police stations after arrests and offer to contribute to bail money. Respond to any public appeals for assistance. You can't be there, but you can still care.

7. Be patient

Perhaps you've looked and asked around, and still there doesn't seem to be a concrete way you feel you can contribute. Don't give up so soon. Just make yourself available, wait for an opportunity. Ask questions, after all, the Internet led you here. Just don't hold on to those good intentions too long, because in the end, intentions mean nothing without action.

And just remember this: if anyone ever belittles what you do, know that it's better to do something than nothing at all. Better to care than be another of the living dead lost to apathy, better to say at the end of the day, “I tried. Did you?”

*This is the personal opinion of the columnist.