Faith

During my age of teenage rebellion, my mother said very few words which deterred me in my quest to deify her except for one piece of advice. My mother was controlling and wanted all aspects of my life to live up to her expectations. She had an opinion on everything I did. But when I decided to stop going to Church, she only mentioned this to me and said nothing else on the topic: "It is important to believe in something, even if it is not this."

I was shocked that she had not told me to head straight back into the pew but it also resounded with me. This was more than my mother wanting me to live a better life. This was something she believed with her very soul. And as such, it has lead me on this path, a philosophy major with no semblance of moral code other than the golden rule because in my stumble to discover what I believed in I didn't want to hurt anyone else.

There's something so fundamental about this idea. It's nearly mind boggling yet why should you believe? Because you can't survive otherwise? Because hardship and suffering require belief? If not in a higher being, but even yourself or the kindness of men? Can you simply not believe?

Changing the World

Margaret Mead is often quoted saying, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." This quotation both inspires me and frightens me.

It gives limitless faith that the world can be changed and indeed has been changed by a few individuals. But it seems to always be the question of changed in what way? Whether for good or ill, the answer will be changed to be how I see fit. This means an array of different things. But, more problematic is that this quotation isn't true. It misleads readers into believing a small group of determined people can "change the world" without consent from anyone else.

Yes, a small group can 'start' to change the world but will never to be ultimately finish. Stakeholders, investors, believers, and messengers will always be necessary. It is a question of scale and to change the world you will not, cannot do it with a small group.

More potent to me is this tale. “When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world. I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation. When I found I couldn’t change the nation, I began to focus on my town. I couldn’t change the town and as an older man, I tried to change my family. Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself, and suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family. My family and I could have made an impact on our town. Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world.” This tale is not inspiring. It expounds hard work and time. But I believe this is where the truth lies.

Yes, a small group of devoted people can begin to change the world but only because they changed themselves and affected those around them. Your life needs to be led differently because changing the world starts with a way of life and a dream. After that you just need to tell people.