Be the change you wish to see in the world.

Hello my fellow human Beings:

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.”

This statement is often attributed to the preeminent leader of Indian nationalism in British-ruled India, Mahatma Gandhi.  Through his use of non-violent civil disobedience, Gandhi led India to independence and inspired movements for non-violence, civil rights and freedom around the world.  This statement is the bumper-sticker version of Gandhi’s following words:

“If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a [person] changes his [or her] own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him [or her]. … We need not wait to see what others do.”

For all of you that are teachers, preachers, parents or role models, you will know that sometimes you can talk until you are blue in the face and not get your students, congregants or kids to listen and comprehend a word that you are saying.  Your words alone may not be convincing enough for them to believe your message.

However, if you can show them by the person you are and the actions you take that you mean what you say, then you can speak volumes without uttering a word.

The adage “practice what you preach” adds weight to your words for it gives authenticity and credibility that you truly mean what you say because you are living it.

So if you want to see change in the world, then be the change.

If you want more love in your life, be more loving.

If you want more peace in your life, be more peaceful.

If you want more happiness in your life, be more joyous.

Whatever you want to see manifest in your life, be it.

You may ask, “How do I truly be something? For instance, how do I truly be happy?”

The answer comes from being your genuine, authentic self.  When you are your True Self, you are real.  You are connected to all beings and to all life. You are bone fide You.

To help you get connected with your True Self, practice meditation.  Be still, reflect, and connect.  Let all the mind chatter fall away.  Let the ego talk die down. What you are left with is your authentic Being.  Let the light of your True Essence shine forth in all you do and say and are, so that others may see the radiance of your True Self.

When you are authentically You, when you are loving, peaceful and joyous, then your Essence will affect change in others to be more loving, peaceful and joyous too.

Your Beingness will change the world when you least expect it – one person at a time.

As LGBT human rights activist, Rev. Dr. Brent Hawkes, is fond of saying:

“Be realistic.  Expect miracles.”

Although this is another bumper sticker philosophy, it sums up concisely the power of being true to You and the effects it can have in the world.

So I encourage you to be still, connect with Your True Self, let your authenticity shine forth from your Being, and just be the change you want to see in the world.  For when you do, you will experience miracles and live an abundant life.

Note:  My dear readers, I wanted to let you know that I will be taking a break from writing The Still Spot for a few weeks as I am getting married soon and have a lot on my plate at the moment.  I am finding my meditation practice a saving grace amidst all the busyness and so I encourage you to keep up your meditation practices, as will I, over the next little while.  Until next time, may you all be happy, may you all be peaceful, and may you be your authentic selves leading you to live abundantly.