The bad news is that nobody changes the world. The good news? Nobody changes the world.
Confused? So was I when this finally dawned on me. For years I struggled, endured, promoted and sacrificed in order to change, at least the piece of the world that I could touch. And if you ever gave it your best shot like so many have throughout history, you will know, that it is not easy. Now I have come to the conclusion that it is not even possible. This is not to say that I am giving up. I am however fine tuning what I have been doing and now I feel so much more encouraged to reach our goals.
The World is not the land masses but the people in it. Has anyone changed the people in the world? Consider the great doctors, inventors and business people who have lived throughout time. The short quick list would include Steve Jobs, Jonas Salk, Albert Einstein and Martin Luther King Jr. Great men no doubt but what did they actually change? The world? If we accept that we are talking about people making up the world, these great men and others only influenced change in the world. Many people have never turned on a computer, gotten vaccinated against polio, are not sure what exactly Einstein invented and have no interest in civil rights movements. But for those who are seeking changes, looking for a better way, open to new ideas and ways to accomplish the seemingly impossible, these influencers offer the opportunity to accomplish those changes.
You see, people only change when they have a reason to change. Whether for reasons of love or hatred, greed or fear, ego or compassion people change when some force motivates them toward change. Those who find out how to influence others create the spark that makes the fire inside of us. What fires us to action, what inspires us, what influences us, is how changes become viral effects throughout the world. This is how people "change the world".
I have written several hundred, if not thousands of posts, blogs, articles and stories about Changes for New Hope. I write about the children living in destitution and unimaginable impoverishment. I write about what this project, with the help of some very wonderful heroes, have done to make a difference in the lives of these children. Have I changed the world? No. But I am content to know that I have positively influenced a large part of the children, parents, teachers, community leaders, and those whose hearts are moved with compassion to join me in this journey. Not everybody is going to care about the children tucked away into the Peruvian Andes and the severe existence that they endure through no fault of their own.
The very best promotional efforts of Apple computer will not make everybody out there buy one of their products. They take comfort in the fact that they have been the most valuable company on the planet. They influenced enough of the world to make a significant difference in it.
I hope to also influence enough people in this world to be able to make a significant difference in the lives of these children. It is a little tougher for us though. We don't sell sexy products. We don't have a catchy tune that you can sing along to. We don't even have a plan that will help you lose weight, get attention from the ladies (or men), save you money or make your life easier.
We just reach out to those whose deep compassion needs a place to go into action. Share a message of hope for the benefit of little children in dire need. Share a few dollars to get them ahead of the parasites that are eating them from the inside out, some vitamins to fight off anemia and give them a chance in life that every child deserves. We influence people to melt apathy, give a damn, share and care. I am not changing the world. I am however, influencing people to come a little closer to the beautiful person that they have always wanted to become.