Want to Change the World...change Yourself

"_I'm Starting With The Man In The Miror

I'm Asking Him To Change His Ways

And No Message Could Have Been Any Clearer

If You Wanna Make The World A Better Place

Take A Look At Yourself Then make A Change_"

            These lyrics of Michael Jackson's song bring forth a big reality; we must be the change we want to see. Do you ever find yourself thinking or speaking about how things or other people should be? If so, you're not alone. Most of us spend and waste a lot of time and energy thinking, judging and talking about people and situations we have very little control over. Even worse, we often do or saythings that are completely hypocritical or contradictory-we complain about people's attitude, judge people fo being judgmental, and get angry to see others flared up and more.

One of the Gandhi's most famous quotes is,

' We must be the change we want to see the world.'

As simple as this is to understand, it's not so easy to put into practice. It's often easier to be self righteous and opinionated than it is to kind and compassionate.However, as we all know and have all experienced, real change in our own lives and in our personal experinces can only come from within us. Many times in a day we complain about the problems we face, the things in this mad world we want to change but only if we stop and change in us what we want to change in the world, we would soon see what we wish to see around us. Want to see a clean environment? Stop polluting it yourself. Want people to be more honest? You should be honest yourself. Here, i would want to share and interesting piece of writing from the tombstone of an Anglican bishop in Westminster Abbey:

"_When i was young and free and my imagination had no limits,

I dreamed of changing the world.

As i grew older and wiser i discovered the world would not change

So i shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country,

But it too seemed immovable.

As i grew into my twilight years,

In one last desperate attempt,

I settled for only changing my family, Those closest to me,

But alas, they would have none of it.

And now i realise as i lie on my deathbed,

If i had only shnaged myself first,

Then by example i might have changed my family,

From their inspiration and encouragement

I would then have been able to better my country,

And who knows, I might have changed the world_"

This is what we need to do change ourselves. Remember it's always from within.

            Ma, the president of Taiwan, put this simple truth in effect in his life and proved the effectiveness of the fact to the whole world. The following is the strategy adopted by the president who changed his country. Ma chose to spread the message of conservation throughout Taiwan. This was how it worked; residents would have to use regulation garbage bags, the prices of which were pegged to the cost of garbage disposal. But they could use other bags such as old shopping bags for seperate recyclable trash. The purpose of the scheme was twofold; to reduce waste generation and to encourage recycling. There were complaints. Some said there sould be counterfeit bags while others said there would be illegal dumping. And, some pointed out that it was inconvenient; houses were too small to accomodate seperate bins and so on. The biggest worry for Ma and his supporters was that the unpopular scheme would cost him his re-election as mayor. That did not happen.The scheme was adopted in 2000. Ma went on to win re-election in a landslide two years later and the presidency in 2008. And taipei expanded its waste reduction/recycling scheme to include food waste that later required retail oulets to charge for plastic bags. It now also prohibits to use plastic tableware at food outlets. After Ma was elected president. Tv stations started playing old footage of him as mayor. One clip showed him using his personal pair of stainless steel chopsticks, which he carries with him everywhere he goes. The thermostat in his presidential office is now set at 26 degree celsius to 28 degree celsius. He use energysavers in his office and the staff is required to use just enough lights for work. Indeed, there are 10 energy conserivng guidlines for presidential staff that includes the use of stairs instead of the elevator, and fans in place of air-conditioners whenever possible and, for male staff, ditching the suit except for formal functions. The message of consevation is spread through every possible media outlet, from TV to radio to billboards. We have in president Ma great example of a leader who chooses to live the change he desired in his country. Leaders throughout the world have a responsibilty which is to improve the state and the condition of their nation. THey need to be an example and set out the things they want people to do. Once they change, the whole nation change!

While life is not simply based on right or wrong phenomenon, we each have a choice in every decision, situation and relationship about what we look for focus on and ultimately what we select. Most of us are pretty good at noticing what's missing from situations or what's 'going wrong'. When we notice this, however we have an opportunity to do something 'truly' needed.

If we begin to practice this challenge and step up to this responsibility, we will realize that any and every situation, relationship, or group we are a part of a change the way we want it to-if we are willing to take a lead, go first and Be the change we wish to see. Maybe if we stop cheating, lying, or robbing someone of their rights, we might see the reflection of it in our society! Our leaders must be the change because that's what our country needs the most. However, we can start today on a smaller level by changing ourselves and see the manifestation of that change.

Action Idea: Pick a relationship of the situation in your life that is currently challenging you. Think of 'what' change you want to see in that particular situation or person. Adopt those changes in yourself and that particular and see whether its magic works or not. As far as I believe, things will get better in front of your eyes within a matter of time.

Last but not least there are two phases of change, one changes inside and then outside will be changed. If you find this article helpful then check out my blog to change from outside