Be the change you want to see in the world
- January 1st, 2010
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Sharing a bit more on connectivity in our lives, I would like to bring to the discussion a famous poem by John Donne:
“No man is an Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a pormontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine on were; any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore, never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee.”
Jon-Kabat Zinn shared that we resonate with one another’s sorrows because we are inter-connected. Being whole and simultaneously part of a larger whole, we can change the world simply by changing ourselves. If I become a center of love and kindness in this moment, then perhaps small but hardly insignificant way, the world now has a nucleus of love and kindness it lacked the moment before. This benefits me and it benefits others.
Remember that we must be the change we want to see in the world – “if it’s to be it’s up to me…”.
It is not the world’s governments’ issue alone when we see drastic climate changes; it is not the politicians’ challenge alone when we see countries and people waging wars and creating divide among the human race; it is not another country’s problem alone when we see poverty and suffering there; it is not the cleaners’ duty alone when we notice litter and rubbish spewed all over the place; it is not someone else’ concern alone when we witness injustice and inconsiderate behavior in our midst – it IS our responsibility to take the necessary steps to make this world a place it was meant to be…full of love and beauty.
Make a difference in the world today – start with ourselves. Pick one area that we want to see changed for the better…and do it now. Not later, not tomorrow, not a new year’s resolution, not when we feel we are ready…because the only time we have…is NOW!
