The power to change the world

Last night at a home in the hills overlooking Kingston, the capital city of Jamaica, I was part of a group that had gathered to meet and honour a leading Jamaican-American who was instrumental in mobilising the voting population of South Florida to elect Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States.

As the discussion evolved, a central theme emerged: “The Power of the Individual to make a difference”. Many present kept veering back to what the politicians, business leaders, lawyers and others in the Jamaican society needed to do to make a difference. Much time was spent trying to figure out the Jamaican version of Barack Obama who would, like Moses lead us out of the wilderness of poverty, crime and social and economic degradation. No-one could identify such a person, as they kept looking in the usual obvious places, to people who were already part of the system, the very system that needs to change.

Is it feasible that someone from within the system could actually be the agent of change? Barack Obama tells us no, for he was always an outsider to whatever system he was placed. All the great agents of change in the world tell us no – they were always outsiders. The laws of physics tell us no. Just think of the law of inertia:

An object at rest will remain at rest unless acted on by an unbalanced force. An object in motion continues in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.

Using this analogy, we can see that the people currently leading the system (the object at rest or in motion) cannot be the “unbalanced force” for they are devoted to keeping it “stable” i.e. as it is. They have a vested interest in maintaining it, not changing it. What we are therefore seeking is an unbalanced, or external force – something outside of our current system.

Whenever I hear questions around who is to lead change, my thoughts immediately turn to Mahatma Gandhi’s quote: “Be the change you want to see”. And I therefore have to ask myself: could that force be me? Could it be you? For that is the power of the individual – each and every one of us can make a difference if and as we choose. The power of the individual starts with each and every one of us. Whatever change we want to see, we must be that change.

What are some of the things we can do right where we are to be the change we want to see? Here are a few practical suggestions:

Think that “someone” needs to transform our education system?
1. Call the principal of your alma mater today and find out what the needs of the school are. Give money, time – whatever you can. This we all can do. For those who are busy, give money. For those who have no money, give time.

2. Help a child – find out from the school if there are any children in need of a mentor (I can guarantee you will get a long list). Devote even one hour per week to that child and you will make a huge difference to the world. Who is to say that that child will not grow up to be a world mover and shaker like Barack Obama?

Think “someone” needs to make sure we have responsible government?
1. Speak up! Don’t like what the government is doing? Write a letter and have it delivered by courier to the responsible minister with a copy to the press
2. Whenever you see a government official – summon the courage and let them know (politely) exactly how you feel
3. Attend public meetings and consultations held by various government entities and speak up!

Think that “someone” needs to do “something” about crime?
1. Report crimes – no matter how small
2. Stopped for a traffic ticket? Take it, go to court and plead “innocent” no matter how many times you have to go back to court. DON’T bribe the policeman, and don’t give in and plead guilty (unless you are)!
3. Support organizations that help to rehabilitate prison inmates
4. Resist negative talk – do not add to the energy of fear and hopelessness. Choose to speak positively, and point out to others when they are speaking negatively

Think that “people” need to be more civil to each other?
1. Smile at all whom you meet today and everyday – the power of the smile to change someone’s day is amazing
2. When you see a service person with a name tag, acknowledge them by name – and with a smile. You have indicated that you have noticed them as an individual, not just some anonymous server
3. Remember your manners – say good morning to all whom you pass – everyone – newspaper man, windscreen wiper, beggars, your co-workers, your boss, security guards, every single one!
4. Thank people who give you service

There are so many things we can do when we realise that we ARE the change we want to see. When we start taking individual action, others see and some will do likewise – soon, there is a critical mass and the change happens – like magic we believe, but not really, it’s just the natural laws at work. Taking action, no matter how small and insignificant we think it may be, frees us from hopelessness and fear. We know we are doing something. We are not waiting for, nor depending on others. We feel free, for we know that we are making a positive difference to the world.