Inspiration Sunday, July 13, 2008

by Marelisa · View Comments

(“One World”; courtesy of ie-fotografie)

Gandhi predicated that we must be the change that we want to see in the world.  This Sunday’s quote–inscribed on the tomb of an Anglican Bishop in Westminster Abby (1100 A.D.)–reflects that same sentiment:

“When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country.

But it, too, seemed immovable.

As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it.

And now, as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realize: If I had only changed myself first, then by example I would have changed my family.

From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country, and who knows, I may have even changed the world.”

Related Posts:

Did you enjoy this article? Subscribe by RSS or e-mail and you’ll always know when I publish something new. If you’d like information on how RSS works, go here. You can also follow me on Twitter.

Share and Enjoy:
  • StumbleUpon
  • del.icio.us
  • Digg
  • email
  • Facebook
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Mixx
  • Reddit
  • Print
  • Netvouz
  • Sphinn
  • Furl
  • I have been feeling somewhat guilty that it seems I have not been caring enough for the less priviledged people in my neighbourhood because I am spending more time doing inner healing work. Your post is a good reminder for me that I can be more effective if I work on myself first.

    Much thanks and appreciation,
    Evelyn

    Evelyn Lim | Attraction Mind Maps last blog post..Think Simple Now and Grow Rich
  • Mare
    @Hunter: A lot of people leave this earth without ever discovering this. As you say, there's still time for us.

    @Bamboo: Exactly, we are the cause and then our surroundings are the effect.
  • I am in full agreement that change is forged in our selves. Since, we are the world, when we change the world changes.

    Bamboo Forests last blog post..Be Embarrassed about Nothing
  • Great quote, but a bit sad that she only discovers it at the end. But there's still time for us!
  • ...while you were flying around in outer space, on a space ship you'll sell me...the views you've seen are magnificent... I'm in!!
  • Mare
    @Lance: I'm glad it was helpful! Isn't the photograph of the earth beautiful? I took it just last weekend while I was . . . :-)
  • I love that Marelisa. It so easy to think we should change something, but that something is never us. And, that's really the first place we should start. It's easy for me to see fault in others (I did it this weekend). But, maybe I should be looking at myself first. This is timely, as I feel I should discuss what happened this weekend with those I think need to know about the change I think is needed. I'll now first spend some time thinking about what I could have done differently, and word what I'll say in a more positive light. I needed to hear this today. Thank you.

    I also love the picture. I get a real feel for just how large and awesome our universe is, and that's powerful for me too.

    Lances last blog post..Sunday Thought For The Day
  • Mare
    @Urban Panther: One person at a time can be just as profound.
  • Very nice sentiments. I used to worry that I wasn't out there 'saving the world'. I'd compare myself to a friend of mine who dedicates 80% of his day to doing just that through organizations like Amnesty. Then I realized that is his approach and works well for him. I am much more of a one smile and laugh at a time person, and sometimes..or hopefully more often than sometimes..that can be just as profound.

    Urban Panthers last blog post..Bringing down the woolly mammoth
  • Mare
    @Sara: We should just ask ourselves: "what's the best thing I can do right now?", and that question should move us along until little by little our actions have more and more impact on our surroundings. And like you say, if the change is good others will follow.
  • The sphere of influence idea is so counterintuitively empowering. It can be hard to give up on the idea of changing the world by storm (as many of us dream of when we're young, like the story). In the end, though, you know that you *can* create change, if nowhere else, than in yourself.

    If the change is good, you can be sure that others will follow.

    Sara at On Simplicitys last blog post..Three Things You’ve Given Up and Never Regretted
  • Mare
    @John: It takes two to tango :-) Someone has to take the lead in examining his/her behavior and how it's contributing to the problem.
  • Great words of wisdom. It reminds me of whenever someone has a problem, say with their spouse, and goes to someone for help and goes on and on about how the other person has issues, the advisor tells them, "Well ok - but you're here now. Let's talk about you and how we can make you better."

    John Hoff - eVentureBizs last blog post..50+ Wordpress Plugins & Hacks Candy Store
  • Mare
    @Cath: Your comment made me think of something I read awhile back, along the lines that your mission in life has to start small and it has to start with you. How can a person be expected to have a grand mission like bringing world peace when they're always fighting with everyone around them?

    @Hi Al: It sounds like you have a wise older brother :-)

    @Vered. Isn't it funny how little kids do that? My 5 year old niece is always telling on other children. We tell her the same thing: just concentrate on what you're doing.

    @Tom: I think the trick is to work within our sphere of influence and always be expanding that sphere of influence.
  • It seems like all great life lessons hold two threads. One is the thread of self-responsibility and the other is that we are at choice to create our own destiny. That's what came up for me from reading this post. Powerful!
    Thanks!

    Tom Volkar / Delightful Works last blog post..A New Way to Find Work that You Love
  • Do you know what they taught my kids at preschool when they would make comments on other kids' habits ("teacher, she's eating with her mouth open!)? The teachers would say "mind your own body". I thought that was quite profound. We need to focus on ourselves and change our own behavior rather than try to change others. Have a great weekend!

    vereds last blog post..Google Search Terms: The Funny, The Sad, And The CREEPY
  • Marelisa,

    That was the same story my older brother told me when I was a young, bright-eyed kid who wanted to save the world but didn't know how. I may have understood the point, but I still had to grow older to really appreciate it.

    This post really moved me. Thank you.

    Al at 7Ps last blog post..The Hidden Water of Life
  • cathlawson
    Hi Mare - Those are great words of wisdom and so true. You can't overeat, drink too much and take drugs and expect to persuade everyone around you to be healthy.

    Cath Lawsons last blog post..Why I Don’t Like Zen Habits
blog comments powered by Disqus

Previous post:

Next post: