Be the change you want to see in the world

“Be the change you want to see in the world” is a famous quote by Mahatma Gandhi.

Ouch.

It’s so much easier to run around telling others how they should be, how they ought to change, in order to make the world a better place (and your life better).

“Stop the violence!” How about you stopped the violence against yourself? Your self-hate, your negative self-talk? Your verbal violence against your kids, your spouse, your coworkers?

How do I know that you talk negatively to those? Because “Stop the violence” is a negative statement.

“Spread the love” would be a positive variant.

“Stop the violence” is in itself a form of violence.

Be the change you want to see in the world.

Remember the story about the two doors labeled:

• Heaven
• Books about heaven

So tempting to just go with “Books about heaven”.

Heck, you might have to do actual work. You might even have to actually grow.

Better stick with telling other people how to change.