What about change?
I’ll admit change is scary at times, but why is it scary? ”Why” is the all-important question! We see things everyday in our lives, in our country, and in the world around us that need to be changed; however,
many times we leave it to someone else to make the changes happen. We’re more content to stay in our own little comfort zone where everything is familiar. Parents sometimes even encourage this kind of attitude by telling their children not to ask, “Why?” ”Just do what I say and don’t ask questions,” they may say. What are we doing to our children when we have this kind of an attitude? Seth Godin addresses this in his blog post entitled, “Why ask why?“
I’ve always been very curious. I’m sure that I probably drove my parents wild at times by asking, “Why?” for the fifteen millionth time. Curiosity can be very good if channeled correctly. Encourage the people that you’re around not to accept everything at its face value. Ask questions! Look for new and better ways to do things! Look for a new way to interact with the people around you! Would we have all of the modern technology that we have today if everyone had always been content to stay within the status quo and had never asked, “Why can’t we do this”?
When we see something that needs changing, we need to ask ourselves the question, “Do I need to change?” Following is a story that I believe sums up this thought quite well:
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 changing only my family, those closest to me,
But alas, they would have none of it.
And now I realize as I lie on my deathbed, if I had only changed 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 even changed the world.
—The inscription on a tomb dated A.D. 1100 of an Anglican bishop in the crypts of Westminster Abbey
Today, I challenge you to be curious, to ask questions, and to look at how you can change your life so that you can have an impact on those around you and maybe–just maybe–even change the world! If change just seems too daunting to you, check out my last post on change!
