BECOME THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE

So it is the end of 2011 and the beginning of 2012.  Much has been said about the coming year and humanity’s theoretical demise, most of which has been based on the Mayan calendar. Have we given up on humanity? Is that why there is such an almost fervent wish in some quarters to have it end?  I wonder what you think of the idea that the world will end in 2012 according to some and be forever altered according to others. Actually that is just a sneaky way to lead into what I think.

We are the stewards of our earth and it is our responsibility to be here. While our world does not need to end, there is so much in our world that does need to change:  Poverty, excessive materialism, lack of compassion to the ordinary human condition, lack of interest in honoring our planet, misplaced spiritual values, inadequate food-shelter-medical care for many humans to name just a few. These are problems we have created as human beings through greed, apathy and ignorance of spiritual laws. Therefore these problems are ours to change. I do believe that it is our destiny to create a new and better world. I believe that we have the capacity to do so and in fact we will make those changes. We must!

Margaret Meade, a highly respected American cultural anthropologist, spent her life studying civilizations including ours. Her studies led her firmly to the following conclusion and I quote: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

The important thing to understand is that we have the power to make these changes.  Slowly but surely, we can take responsibility and charge for the way our world is. If, as Margaret Meade stated, the only thing that has ever changed the world is small groups of citizens, then we must begin.  What is holding us back?  Is it an overwhelming fear, a sense of powerlessness, even confusion about what needs to be done?  We need to break those patterns. At the very heart of being human lies the power to succeed.

I think we do know what is wrong and what needs fixing. We must act, each of us in our own way. We must stop looking at others and sincerely ask ourselves:  Am I part of the problem or am I part of the solution?  Be truly honest in your appraisal of yourself, and from that honesty will slowly come the recognition that just as each of us have been a part of the problem, each of us can be a part of the solution. We have the power to effect change and we will do that.  Why?  Because we are human beings and the capacity to effect change for the good is our birthright.