Be the change you wish to see in the world – Gandhi
Being the change you wish to be in the world means to be it. No matter what the circumstances. Do you know what’s wrong with the world? Well nothing is actually wrong with the world but besides nothing, it’s us. We are what’s wrong with the world. Our attitudes, our positions, our views, our drama. We excel at finding what is wrong with the world and ourselves. We take a stand on something and say it’s “right.” There is nothing wrong with commitment but when we are attached and righteous we are no longer very effective. It is what stands in the way of our usefulness to our fellow travelers
I saw a bumper sticker that says “If you are not outraged you aren’t paying attention.” As if outrage was a state of being that we should aspire to. The synonyms for outrage are: indignation, anger, rage, fury. Isn’t there enough outrage in the world already? Then it goes on to say that if you are not then you are not paying attention. It is in fact “insulting” the very people that it is trying to reach. As we know, but obviously forget, guilt doesn’t work. Outrage and guilt are not very empowering places to come from. Why would we want to expect or encourage outrage in another? What could this possibly serve? Will this really get us what we want? Has it worked yet? If we really want the world to work, is this the approach to take?
How about not being anti-anything. Remember that what we resist persists. Instead we can be the change we wish to see. Mother Teresa was once asked why she didn’t participate in anti-war demonstrations, her response was “I will never do that but as soon as you have a pro-peace rally, I’ll be there.” We can bring compassion, peace and love to any situations. We are all in this together so who are we going to be for the world?
We have done enough self-help. We are cooked. It is time to help someone that really needs our help. Let’s declare the age of belly button gazing complete and make the shift from self-help to helping others.
Frequently when I am about to go out and make a difference in the world, I do not want to go. I resist. Everything in my home seems compelling. Cleaning the cat box seems like something that would bring me joy and satisfaction. I think, maybe I don’t really want to do this. Staying home in my pajamas is so much easier and safer. Putting myself out there does not sound so good. But I remember what I am committed to and I go anyway. The desire for comfort and safety is simply part of my makeup. It does not have to mean anything. It does not mean that I am not committed. It is just a consideration.
What is the meaning of life? It is what we make it mean. It is what we are committed to. We get to say what our life will be about. For some of us life might look like a life of meditation and prayer but for others, we are full on expressing our humanity in the stream of life. Or it’s somewhere in between. However you get there, just go. The world is full of different approaches and paths because of the vast variety in outlooks, beliefs, and values. Through our journey, along our path, we have become spiritually awake. Whatever our expression of this is, it’s perfect. And whatever we choose is fine. We are no different from the great leaders of the world except maybe in our level of commitment. Leadership is about giving other people possibilities, so find your own expression. What are you committed to?
