Change

"I am in the world to change the world”. —Mureil Rukreyser in her poem, “Women as Market”

In a very real sense, each of us is in the world to change it. Perhaps it's just our little corner of the world in our own immediate family. So, we raise a child to be a caring health care professional, a scientist, or a teacher. Perhaps we take on an issue and in some small way; we influence the masses like Martin Luther King, Jr. did with the Civil Rights Movement. This movement was due to all of those who supported the movement. That change has affected where we now are in the world. For example: We’ve just had an African-American become President in the United States! This happened because some people wanted change 40 years ago. Sometimes, the change is very slight in our immediate world, but is still very significant. When we change-- the entire world changes.

For example: One person can decide that they will no longer allow anger to control some of their reactions. Then, that person doesn’t allow themselves to get angry in traffic; and instead allows someone to move into their lane ahead of them. That new idea, courtesy, or change catches on and affects someone else. The world is so tied together that no one truly operates alone. Our actions and reactions affect everybody else. We just don’t realize how powerful we are. When we change, everybody and everything else around us changes!

For many years, I’ve literally seen people change their lives dramatically for the better. It was as if they had become a different person entirely. Here is what each of us can do if we want our world to improve, to live a more productive happy life, or if we want more prosperity, or better relationships: WE CAN DECIDE we want to truly self-actualize and “BE” the change we want to see in the world.

EXERCISE:
At the close of each day think about the good deeds, you’ve done during the day. They can be very simple. They may include the meal you prepared in love for your loved ones, the extra effort you took, the person you let go ahead of you in the crowded busy supermarket, or the door you held open for someone. Think about as many as you can remember each evening at bedtime. If you are so inclined, it’s beneficial to write down how these little good deeds made you FEEL. The most important aspect of this exercise is to remember the good deeds and focus on the GOOD feeling that doing them provided. Take these thoughts and feelings into your sleep with an attitude of gratitude. Adopt an attitude that you are truly grateful for the opportunity to help others and give the service of yourself.

Doing this may seem ridiculous and some of you may have already objected with thoughts such as:
1. "What about the guy who doesn't appreciate what I do”?
2. “What about all those people out there who just don't care”?

First of all, you can’t control what anybody out there does or thinks. We are only responsible for ourselves. Then, remain focused on what YOU can contribute to the world. It’s a choice you are making that will only attract more of what you want and will serve in a self-fulfilling way.

In other words, focus on how good it feels when someone helps you for no reason. Take this feeling and give it to others with an attitude of contributing value. When you do this, without the expectation of reward, the real rewards come back to you.

Life truly does get better and better one person at a time--and “IT ALWAYS BEGINS WITH US”!