Change the World

"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."

At times, it is easy to get caught up in the folly of "saving" the world or our neighbors or even a family member. As we endure the challenges of a certain path, our conditioning starts to turn into arrogance and what was initially a humble endeavor becomes a statement of one's worth. Then, we start to boast the greatness of what we do in hopes of subtly inflating our ego; instead of genuinely making a difference, we only attempt to reiterate the hidden impressions and values of our own subconscious.

To help anyone, we must first understand what real help is. As we gain greater awareness of ourselves, we realize our true nature and start a revolution within us. Inevitably, this change in us reaches the rest of the world.