Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.

                                                                                                                     -Leo Tolstoy

Change Starts With You

In daily conversations we all hear and talk about things we would like to see changed in the world.  These same conversations don’t include what action we are taking.  What we fail to realize is our actions are the steps to change. 

Think about the environment. If I took a poll of any large group of people and ask if they care about the water supply and would they like to see better global care of water, most would say yes.  If I ask if they leave the water running while they brush their teeth, wash the car twice a week or take long showers regularly, most would say yes. 

It is as if we think there is going to be this global magical event that will create the changes we want to see, while we continue to live our lives as we always have.  We also tend to ignore what is happening around the world as long as our own interests aren’t involved.   

This week think about the actions you take and multiply them times a million; or even better, one hundred million. If you take your own bag to the supermarket, that’s 100 million plastic or paper bags not used that day. If you do, that is 100 million bags used that day.  If you are nice to other people that is 100 million people being nice to other people around the world.  One of those other people might be kind to someone you really care about that lives somewhere else.

Think about the reverse, if you are short tempered and drive in an aggressive manner and cut people off, then that’s 100 million people driving like that.  Sounds dangerous. And maybe one of those 100 million cuts off someone you love and they get into an accident.

Our individual behavior adds up to a global condition.  We need to develop a global conscious and realize that each of us is important, our behavior matters. Don’t expect change to happen without you.  As Mahatma Gandhi said, “You must be the change you want to see in the world.”

Don’t live with your eyes closed, either to what is happening in the world, or about your own behavior. Open your eyes and realize that each of us is powerful and what we do has an effect of positive change both in the world and over our individual lives. 

This week be powerful and start changing the world by the actions you take.  If you take action today in your life you are changing the world today. Don’t put it off, waiting for some magical future change to take place.

Together we are changing the world!