There are certainly times in which I wonder what, if any positive impact I may be having on others. I've been thinking about that a lot lately. In the last few weeks, that answer was delivered to some degree. There have been three individuals who have in one way or another, been effected by my message.
One of them, a quiet, "shy" guy, read my blog at someone else's suggestion and proceeded to lose 95 pounds. This same individual (who we will leave nameless by request) has also given up a big job in search of a more fulfilling way to apply his skill set and experience. Not dissimilar from my own story...
Another gentleman I met recently had read my last dozen posts or so, and decided it was time for him to regain greater wellness...and he began running again the next day. After hearing this individual, I realized that he had just made my day! Proof positive, that I in some way, perhaps even a small way...helped create the desire to change. Personally, I like to think I just helped re-ignite what we all have within ourselves.
That is very powerful.
As you may have noticed from my last few postings, I have a growing frustration with regards to the behavior in many areas of our society. And, as I have contemplated whether it is worthwhile to call out those who I view as "offenders", I believe that if those evaluations are made from a purely logical perspective, then it is absolutely justified.
Change is not passive. It will not happen by sitting idle. There won't be a "bailout" for every problem we face as a society. With the growing concern over our economic "crisis", the education system, the state of our environment, obesity, disease, etc...the only answer to repairing those situations is change, period!
It is not optional...It IS an obligation. We have this obligation to ourselves as individuals, and we have it to society as a whole, we are all in it together. I have written many times about individual impact on larger groups, and that must be a focus. Each individual change we make effects many. There is exponential value the more change there is.
I am not speaking solely of health, weight loss or the environment...I am talking about all of it; the "general" and passive nature many have adopted with regards to change. I once took a stand on my own wellness...today I take a stand for everyones. I can no longer sit by and be passive. I will not explain to my children that some things "just are the way they are". Instead, I will teach them to think for themselves, to be productive members of society, to consider the impact they make on others...and to stand up and fight when they see others being wronged. I'm sure many of my upcoming posts will upset some; and elate others.
By design, human beings have many unique abilities. One being the power to make a choice, a decision...a change. The question of course, is what we base those decisions on. If we were not intended to do so, then I would surmise that we would behave far more instinctively instead.
With this great ability we have to make choices, we all have the power to create change. In ourselves as well as society. If you don't want a fast food chain to continue to use harmful ingredients in foods you serve your children...then stop going there! Believe me, enough people stop, they will have to change. If you have issue with a product you buy because the materials used aren't recyclable, then stop buying from them! If you don't like the way a certain corporation behaves which you are a customer of...leave and find another provider! And, let them all know why.
More choices, more changes. We have the ability, don't treat it as an option.
Josh - Agent of Change