How Bad, How Good, Does it Need to Get?
What would make you change your ways?
Tracy Chapman fans will find the title of this article familiar. It’s part of the lyrics from her song, Change.
If everything you think you know
Makes your life unbearable
Would you change?
Would you change?How bad how good does it need to get?
How many losses how much regret?
What chain reaction
What cause and effect
Makes you turn around
Makes you try to explain
Makes you forgive and forget
Makes you change
Makes you change
People make all sorts of resolutions with every New Year. But few ever change their ways. Because it’s hard to change. Change requires self-reflection, and most people don’t want to go there.
There are all sorts of reasons that people behave the way they do. And, it is useful to have an understanding of those reasons — things like childhood trauma, abuse, fear, lack of awareness, or lack of intelligence — if you don’t want to become consumed with anger, or outright hatred, for those who simply continue to act in ways that are harmful to themselves, others, and the environment.
And it gets really discouraging when you work hard to do the right thing, and realize that most people, in the long run, are only concerned with their own comfort, and as long as they have enough to eat and a roof over their heads, really don’t give much thought to the suffering that goes on in the world.
You once may have believed that if you just educated others, they would see the light. You believed that presenting them with facts would change their point of view. And, time and time again, you found yourself disappointed when even those you loved had no desire to join you in the fight for justice for all people.
So why continue to try to make the world a better place? If you’re like me, you know why. Because, dignity for all life is important. Being indifferent isn’t possible for you.
This is why I feel compelled to write. My main purpose in writing is not to try to change hearts and minds. My purpose in writing is to connect with others like myself, so that we won’t feel so alone, or give into despair.
I am so thankful for those who have shared their truth with others through writing. People like Ralph Nader. At the age of 90, he is still writing books and articles, working to share his message that change is indeed possible, and that only 1% of the population can bring about big changes.
The premise of his argument is that small groups of individuals have initiated most of the significant, progressive political reforms in U.S. history—from the abolition of slavery to securing women’s right to vote, from tobacco regulation to citizen initiatives on climate change. “Take a sweeping look at history and you will discover that almost all movements that mattered started with just one or two people.” (link)
So, don’t worry about changing others. That’s up to them.
Keep doing what, in your heart, you know is right. You don’t know who you may have helped with your calm and compassionate presence. Or who you may have inspired to keep trying.
Because even if not probable, change is indeed possible.