I AM Changing The World
September 30th, 2006
I had a very interesting conversation with a number of my friends recently, about this campaign and what I think it really means. I had shared with them the words that follow this initial statement, and they have an even greater meaning and power to me now after having spoken to them.
Basically, after explaining that I feel very strongly that things need to change around the world, that there needs to be some good influence happening around us, my friends all stated that they do not feel as though they have it in them to change anything. It was disheartening to hear, but as I mentioned steeled my resolve even more. Hereafter are words I had expressed several weeks ago:
The reality is that I am changing the world. So are we all, each and every day, whether we know it or not. It is not only in the moments when we express authenticity, but also in those moments when we do not. It is as much in our IN-action as it is in our action that we make the difference.
That is what is so unbearably frustrating to me! It is not merely in those moments of extreme compassion and awareness that we are capable, beautiful, alive, vibrant, et cetera. It is in those mundane gloomy – as – the – copyrighted – donkey – who – eats – thistles that we are also changing the world…and not necessarily for the better.
Being conscious of what we are doing is not always a pretty thing. Frankly, being conscious of doing those things that are not so good is what I think we really need a whole hell of a lot more of, because those are the behaviors we are attempting to alter.
It is one thing to recognize that we are able to be amazing human beings. It is another to recognize that we are all equally capable of being entirely un-amazing human beings yet still able to affect positive change in the world. Putting on blinders does nobody good, whether republican, beauty-gasm addict, nor 28- or 56- or whatever-year-old.
Life is not always pretty. Surely we all know this. But sometimes it is the ugliest stuff that teaches us the most valuable lesson — whether that ugly stuff is what we have to face about ourselves, or about “the world.” If that makes me naive, then I hope to retain my naiveté throughout the entirety of my life. I can only hope that others “get” that.
by Bethany M. Whitling
Student of Anthropology
New Mexico, USA
beautiful beautiful bethany….
changing the world, one moment at a time, one breath at a time, one interaction at a time.
i don’t know how to live like this yet, but it inspires me.
tandi brown
Bethany,
The power of your “I” is clear eyed and awake. The responsibility in freedom begins at this humble and tiny place. Thank you. I love the aim of your gaze.