“If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change towards him… We need not wait to see what others do.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Gandhi’s actual quote is a little more involved than “Be the change you wish to see in this world.”
This week I have been struggling with change. I have wanted the world to change, and there is an opportunity to be that change. It definitely would involve being outside of my comfort zone. It would also involve putting many people outside of their comfort zone. I focus on the “if.”
“If” I apply, “If” I get it, “What if?”. Can you all see the strong case of “analysis paralysis” beginning? “If not you, then who? If not, now, when? – Hillel the Elder. Gandhi said we do not need to wait. We definitely allow other people to run our lives. My motto is, “You’re the boss of you.” I do not need to seek approval from others to pursue things that drive my passions.
But, and there is always a but – I am afraid. What am I more afraid of? Do I fear change, or do I fear things staying the same? What happens when I lean into my fear and face it? Generally, it is not as awful as I imagined. There may be some tears, but to my knowledge, no one has died from crying. There may be moments where I feel like I will die, but that is just the fear talking. Am I going to listen to the fear, or am I going to listen to my intuition? What is the worse than can happen? They may say yes, and I am going to have to grow and develop new skills? The horror!
My wise mother always told me, “What’s for you is for you.” A few years ago, my boss accused me of being stagnant, and I got out of my comfort zone and applied for a position. I thankfully did not get it. It taught me two things: 1. Rejection is not the end of the world. 2. Take away learnings from setbacks. I was also very fortunate to receive feedback about why I did not get the job. I took action on the input and, a few months later, applied for my current job. All my worrying and anxiety was for naught. If I try again at something new and fail, I will learn what did not work, and the sting of rejection shall pass. The work I have done with my art has been a practice in being vulnerable and outside of my comfort zone. I am learning that I can always do another piece. I understand that not everything in life gives you a second chance, but most of the things we face are not as high stakes as we make them out to be.
What’s next? I have no idea. However, getting outside of my comfort zone will result in profound results, whether the outcome is for or against me. Already I have to stretch my creativity and research even to envision the change I want to see. This journey has afforded me the wisdom of my close confidantes. When you are excited and passionate about something and can share your vision with others, you get them excited and inspired as well. What changes do you want to see? Are you waiting on someone else to be the change? Will you lead or follow?
If I can help you ask the right questions and help you start on your change journey, please feel free to reach out to me. Namaste
