The power to change the world – it would be enlightening – if only possible.
Every day I talk with people crippled from unhappiness, anxiety, grief, fear, and insecurities. Lately, life seems to have dealt heavy blows for many people. Maybe you are coping with anger, frustration, and weariness. Maybe you are going through financial battles, divorce, medical issues, loss. Maybe life has lost its flavor and it seems easier to quit than to fight. Maybe you feel very much alone and hopeless. Countries are at war. Terrorists seem to have an upper hand. Diseases take innocent lives every day. And although we globally have so much, people are dying of starvation everywhere. Greed holds all the cards.
#CHANGEAWORLD
Nothing will ever be perfect. I told my friend the other day, I just want some smooth sailing – peaceful, tranquil, slick as ice water – for a few weeks. Is it possible? Probably not. But how we handle the crises of our lives actually brings still waters, maybe not outwardly, but within.
Five Key Elements To Bring Change
- Believe in yourself and tell yourself often. Sounds crazy but self-efficacy matters. People who persevere do so because they do not allow themselves to quit. No one ever quit on anything if he/she believed in what he/she could do. Like The Little Engine that Could, “I think I can! I think I can! I think I can!” really works. You may not have all the answers. You may not even know what to do at the current moment, but belief in your ability to handle whatever comes your way, will bring confidence and peace within. Knowing Who is on your side, makes the battle worthy of the fight.
- Work through difficulties. There are times when we must realize who we are and what we stand for. We not only need to know what is right, we have to do it as well. Adversity comes at every corner of our lives. Make a point not to be the adversity. Work through the issues; don’t force your way on anyone. In everything you say and do, keep the Golden Rule in mind. It may sound old fashioned but it works. “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Pretty straight forward and very real.
- Do not accept the status quo. As human beings we are created to learn and grow. Do not be content in what you know. Read. Get involved in community matters. Learn new and different trades and crafts. It is not “OK” to stop studying. There are millions of things to see in this world. God gave us so much for a reason. No matter your age, there is always something new to do and to enjoy.
- Learn from pain. My grandmother used to stay, “A scar is a place where light has entered.” Your pain is an avenue of change. Suffering makes us better people; more understanding; more accepting; more realistic; more giving. Difficult times bring wisdom and strength. Humphry Davy, a British chemist, said, “I’ve learned more from my mistakes than my success.”
- Understand that the world will never change. Blaming our shortfalls on those around us doesn’t work. What our outside world looks like reflects who we are inside. How we react to the events in our lives is the biggest determinant of who we are.
If you want to be a world changer, change “you” first.
#CHANGEYOUFIRST
