One of the most powerful quotations which I have always liked to share is by Mahatma Gandhi, “Be the Change that you want to see in the world.” The wisdom in the quotation is timeless; it is as applicable today as it was in the time of Gandhi when he uttered those words.
In a world where the only constant is change, we have always been talking about changing the world and people around us. However, not all have realised that for change to take place, they must first change themselves. Do not seek without what we can find within. If we start out with the perception to change the world, then we would fail badly. But if we start by changing ourselves, the change in the world would come naturally and inevitable.
In the short film which I am sharing with you, the boy may not know the above quotation by Gandhi or wouldn’t know that he was applying what Gandhi mentioned about being the change. It was a natural instinct that we often see in children; the ability to see things in a simple manner. We adults often complicate things while trying to come out with the best solution. He started out to be the change and in the process, he inspired others to follow suit.
Starting to be the change we want to see in the world, we would also inspire change in the world which comes from within each individual. Children are our best hope of positively influencing the world to love and care for each other. To put aside differences and to focus on the similarities. Before that, we are still the prime influencing force affecting not only our children but the future of the world that they will be living in.
We must be the change we want to see in the world.
I read a post ‘Spring Cleaning for the Soul’ at The Guy’s Perspective recently which touched on spring cleaning inside out. I left a comment saying that I like the idea of spring cleaning … just that sometimes I am taking too long to start; in fact, much too long. Some of the stack of old bill stubs, receipts and invoices which I found today dated as far back as 2003 or maybe even earlier. I didn’t bother to really look because they were all paid in due.
It didn’t really take much effort to clear the stack of old bills stubs, receipts and invoices that were sitting in the cabinet. And yet how did they get stacked up and taking all the spaces in the cabinet which could be put to better usage? Procrastination. As the saying goes, ‘out of sight, out of mind.‘ It is about time to take the first step. The Guy’s Perspective post provided that kick in the butt.
Today, I decided that it is time to let go of all that stack of old bill stubs, receipts and invoices. Their rightful place are in the recycle bin. They are of no use to me or anyone as long as they remained the way they are. However, going through the recycle bins, they have a chance to be recycled into something useful again.
Do you have stack of old bill stubs, receipts and invoices sitting in the cabinet waiting to be cleared? Perhaps it is time for you to clear the messes; spring is really a good time to start.
Besides the old stack of bill stubs, receipts and invoices, are there also emotional baggage which some of us are carrying through life like? Some of these emotional baggage may not really do much harm to us but they do take up spaces and give us the messy feeling; like there is always something holding us back. Wouldn’t it make sense for us to clear them too?
I have cleared the mess outside today and there are more to be cleared in the other cabinets. After that, it will be time to revisit the messes inside to start cleaning them too. It is time to ditch the emotional baggage,.
When will be a good time to start spring cleaning inside out? There will never be a better time; all we need to do is to start somewhere. Once we start, we would pick up the momentum from there. Decide today to let go of our emotional baggage to move on with life. We will inevitably find the journey less messy, much lighter and much more enjoyable.
I took this picture of a blooming flower from a plant I have outside my home about two months ago. My mother is the one who is keeping it and I have no idea the name of the plant. For almost 4 years I have never seen any flowers blooming from it. However, about two months ago, it surprised me with this beautiful flower. I just have to take a shot of it with my Sony Cyber-shot camera phone. Yes, this camera phone can produce some decent shots.
There may be question in your head, “Why ‘Life and Death’ in the title?” When I was taking shots of the flower, I noticed a green bud next to it; promising yet another beautiful bloom – another life. One life was moving towards the end and the other was just coming into life. Is it ‘Life beginning at the ending of another’ or is it ‘Life ending at the beginning of another?’
Like ‘Chicken or Egg?’ Frankly, does it really matter whichever come first. Most importantly was that the flower bloomed beautifully for when it was time for it to bloom. Such is the work of nature, to keep the cycle going. The plant does not question what nature has for it. Until the next bloom, the cycle continues everywhere around us, everyday, every hour, every minute and every second.
“I hope that people will finally come to realize that there is only one ‘race’ – the human race – and that we are all members of it.” – Margaret Atwood
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I certainly hope so and I believe we can do it together; to be one human race. As we usher in 2010, I believe many of you have already made resolutions for the new year. Please allow me to suggest another if this is not one of your resolutions: Let us make peace with ourselves and eventually with the world.
We are different and yet we are also similar to each other. We are all sons or daughters to our parents, fathers or mothers to our children, uncles or aunts to our nieces and nephews, brothers or sisters to our siblings and friends to our friends. You and I, we are just souls being housed in different bodies.
When we focus on the differences, we see the differences in colour and culture. When we focus on the similarities, we can look beyond the physical layer into the beauty of the soul – the essence of life.
This is a journey with lot of challenges, but one which we do not travel alone. And together we can do it! Let us join our hands together to take on this journey of peace where our children understand and respect each other difference. And they treat each other with loving kindness and compassion. We can positively influence our children through our actions.
Wishing everyone a great 2010 with Love, Peace and Happiness!
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Empower Children with gift of Education from UNICEF
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