Today’s Heroes post is by Claire Boyles. Claire has added a delightful twist to this series by kindly contributing her own original artwork as well as a great story and some great questions. I’m getting loads of feedback from people who are really enjoying this series, I am too.
Be The Change
So simple, so profound a statement, and probably the cause, inspiration and motivation of countless individuals across the planet that HAVE become the change that they wanted to see. For me, Gandhi was the embodiment of that phrase. I admire him so much, to stand against what he knew to be unjust, in the face of real physical danger, not only to himself but also his family and friends. That takes great courage; “Be The Change” is something that is at the very core of my own life values.
“It was during his first year back in India that Gandhi was given the honorary title of Mahatma (“Great Soul”). Many credit Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore, winner of the 1913 Nobel Prize for Literature, for both awarding Gandhi of this name and of publicizing it. The title represented the feelings of the millions of Indian peasants who viewed Gandhi as a holy man. However, Gandhi never liked the title because it seemed to mean he was special while he viewed himself as ordinary.” Extract from Biography of Gandhi by Jenifer Rosenburg.
It is this view of himself, as an ordinary man, just one of the population that made him so powerful, because he led by example, by the choices he made he WAS the change, and he showed others that it was possible, that they too could BE the change that they wished to see. The things Gandhi did were acts of non violent protest against what he saw to be injustice, and led, against all odds to India gaining independence from British rule. He inspired others to take simple (not easy) actions.
What does “Be the Change” mean to you though? For me, it’s a reminder to take personal responsibility, if I experience something I don’t like, I have the power to change it- either create something better, or move away from it; non participation.
My childhood wasn’t idyllic, far from it. As a result, I wasn’t particularly impressed with what the world had to offer me. I saw much pain and suffering, in people around me, in our own “western” society, but also the starving and oppressed millions and billions around the planet. As a young adult, I felt I didn’t want to be part of that. One day in my early twenties I had an epiphany; if I wanted to change the world, which I most definitely did then one way of changing the world was by changing ME, because I am part of the world. I’m only a small part, but every single human is a part of what makes our society; it is our individual choices that affect it as a whole.
The changes I made were focused on making myself happy, healthy and wealthy, on becoming a responsible member of society, so that I could be part of changing it to the positive. I went from being homeless, unemployed and unemployable to creating a career in HR, working for some of the biggest companies in the world, buying my own home, and 3 years ago setting up my own business.
I haven’t quite had the same level of impact on the world that Gandhi has had, not yet at least but it’s not over yet…
How can you “Be The Change” in your own life? It doesn’t have to be huge grand actions; it’s the small lasting changes that create the most effect in our lives. Remember, the way to move a mountain is one shovel at a time. What shovels can you move today?
What changes do you want?
What one positive action could you take that contributes towards creating that change?
Claire! What a beautiful post. And a fabulous reminder to us all that we can indeed change the world, when we start contributing as individuals – even in small actions, small ripples. The magic happens when my ripple, joins with yours, which joins with the next person’s and the next… until we create a WAVE of undeniable positive influence. Woo! Thank you for such an insightful post.
On a personal note, I am so struck with the number of parallels in our lives. From poverty and hopelessness to an awakening of personal responsibility to live our purpose. We even chose the same career path (HR) and now through entrepreneurship, hope to touch many lives. It was just a matter of time before our paths crossed : ) And I am so grateful! Here’s to a blossoming friendship!
LOVE this post Claire what a wonderful piece of writing to fall asleep to. Also a knowing that I Am being the change I wish to see in the world!
Have a great day
Hugs & Love
Lee
Claire, this so resonates with me. I had a happy childhood, but one evening saw a broadcast of starving people in Biafra. It shocked me into a consciousness of the terrible things that happened in the world and I date my lifelong yearning to be a part of the change, from that moment. It’s why I joined the Church in the 1970’s and the environmental movement a decade later, and one of the many reasons I now come to New Unity I believe wholeheartedly in ‘small is beautiful’ and shifting mountains with teaspoons. It’s what keeps me going in the face of gloom and doom stories.
Reading this has really motivated me. Today is one of those day where I’m completely exhausted and in so much pain that I’ve only just managed to crawl out of bed. It’s so easy to feel like saying “whats the point?” Reminding myself that I can change my world makes a huge difference. Thank you.
Claire – what a lovely post you’ve written and you’ve clearly touched many people by doing so. Thanks for being a part of the Heroes series 🙂
Claire, absolutely lovely article. Gandhi is also one of my absolute heroes and a beacon to us all. He shows that love, compassion and peace are the most powerful forces in the universe in a way that very few have done. Thank you for caring and sharing. I’m being the change by being loving and compassionate wherever possible (it’s always possible). And remember, the Dalai Lama said it’s the western woman who’s going to change the world. That might be you or it might be me, but most probably it is all of us together. Love and thanks, Rashelle x
Wow!! Thank you so much for your wonderful comments! I am truly blessed to have been connected to each of you. Thank you for reading, and thank you for sharing your responses to it, they have touched my heart. Knowing that my purpose has been achieved- to be able to communicate something that people can take into their own lives makes me happy 🙂
Thank you 🙂