Wednesday, November 5, 2008

History & Change


History has been made, and it is happening all around you. If you voted, you contributed to be a part of that history. Yes it is amazing, especially when you hear Reverend Jesse Jackson share his story of how he stood on stage when Martin Luther King was shot, and now he is here to see our nation's first African American president.
However, the vote is now over. The hype will fade away. And the hard work begins for President Barack Obama. And if you haven't realized this from history, one single person - alone, even the president, cannot change a nation. Yes one person can bring about change and make a difference. People like Gandhi, Mother Teresa, Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King - none of whom were president. And even while one person - like these individuals - can make a difference, they cannot change the lives of all individuals of a nation, or in the world.
We wait for a leader who will bring about change, when we can be leaders ourselves, as individuals, and bring about change in every moment of our lives. Why are we waiting for someone? If you keep waiting, you will be waiting your entire life and never see the change that you wish to see. 
As Gandhi said, "You must be the change that you wish to see in the world."
So start today and as an individual, work towards the change you wish to see in the world, in your life, and in the lives of others. Do not base all of your hopes and dreams on one person, whose main concern is to protect this nation, and cannot fix the lives of every individual in this country. Instead, use him as an inspiration to take action yourself, in every aspect of your life. You are responsible for your own life, dreams, and the power to help, heal, and bring about change, for yourself and for others as well.
Do not depend on this one person, or on anyone else. Depend on yourself. If he contributes to the changes that you already make for yourself and your life, all the better. But do not wait for one person to change your life or other people's lives or this nation. If some things happen and get better - that's great - but don't wait for it, and don't rely on someone else. Rely on yourself. Look not to the president to change your life. Look inside yourself. And start there.
Have faith in yourself. Anything is possible. Work hard. And believe.
:-)