I’ve been accused more than once of being a Change-the-World-Aholic.
I can remember numerous revelations as a child about the world around me. Even at the tender young age of seven the world didn’t make sense to me — it seemed upside down. But then the realities of life hit, and I got distracted for a couple of decades before I began again to ponder the world around me. Which is when I first found myself on the receiving end of the accusation.
Being a Save-the-World-Aholic is not perceived as a good thing. It’s an indictment. That we shouldn’t try. That we shouldn’t have such grandiose notions about our inflated importance in the grand scheme of things. It means we’re too idealistic, too naïve, and even egotistical.
But I have a hard time accepting the alternative, which is that we shouldn’t try because we have no such ability.
My friend David L. Smith publishes a blog of photography accompanied by inspirational quotes called Love and Light Greetings, and this week’s post The Seeds of the Future… serves as a powerful reminder for me, because it speaks to the ripples we create in the world.
We are all changing the world all the time. We can’t help but change it by our thoughts, words, and actions. But the nature of the change we bring is not obvious. It’s not passing new laws or launching new social enterprises or writing iconic best sellers. Those who do such things are few and far between. And while the effect of those precious few is felt far and wide, their words and actions will dwindle into oblivion if not for the masses of people who take heed.
“I have a dream” would have meant absolutely nothing if it were not for the masses of people who felt inspired by those words and had the courage to act. And each one of us, each day of our lives are creating ripples in the sea of humanity.
As George Land wrote,
“Movement forward doesn’t depend on everyone changing. When just one person takes on the challenges of becoming more accepting, allowing, and strong, a ripple effect is created. Everyone in that person’s sphere is now touched with the new possibility. Even if the reasons are unclear, anyone who plays by new rules will be noticed by others. Individuals functioning from this level of transformation are the pioneers of the new community, planting new seeds of the future.”
Being a Change-the-World-Aholic, in the sense of the indictment, is feeling we must force change upon others who don’t know any better, which never works. But truly changing the world is as clear and simple as creating ripples by the nature of our thoughts, words, and actions. It is as present as taking on the challenge of “becoming more accepting, allowing, and strong.”
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Indeed, and with less judging and more looking for the blessings (good, benefits, lessons) in all that is and all that happens. As you say, accepting and allowing.