Do you want to change the World? Start with yours first.

By Shawn Evans Quiming
HAPI Scholar

“I want to change our world” and “I want to help our world” are two expressions we frequently hear from people who have a lot of bark but not much bite. As they yearn to better society, they are oblivious to the fact that it is their world that requires change. How could you change the world when you haven’t started working on your own?

It’s easy to feel self-righteous about the wrongdoings in our society. After all, who wouldn’t want to make the world a better place when every day seems to bring bad news: fatalities from the pandemic, war, pollution, racism, poverty, and so on? The media, for better or worse, contributes to the negativity by presenting terrible news that instills anxiety. Sometimes, while catching up on the latest news, it’s as though these heinous acts will never end.

However, the reality is this: if people had been ready to change and give attention to their personal growth and take responsibility for their decisions, their actions, and the consequences, none of these things would have happened.

It is possible to make a difference in the World, but before you can change the world you’re living in, you must first change yours.

Self-betterment is underrated

Start with changing yourself — when individuals find that changing themselves is tough, they give up on the dream they once had, allowing ideology to control them and their goals to fade away; nevertheless, don’t be disheartened!

To alter your mindset, habits, vision, and actions, you must modify your mentality, vision, and activities. It’s not simple to change oneself, but it is essential if you want to make a significant difference. Pay attention to your personal growth; figure out what’s keeping you from being a better person; be interested, open-minded, and active; and focus on the portion that’s keeping you from reality.

It’s tough to alter oneself since life itself, not just us, is changing. It’s like a mathematical problem: once you finish one step, you gain confidence in solving the next issue but forget that there are still more steps to go on the first problem… then you end up forgetting it altogether. Changing yourself poses similar problems. Thus, don’t force yourself to change immediately; instead, maintain a steady pace.

After some time focusing on yourself, you will notice a significant difference and a new perspective on life. You realize that the problem is not the world but “us” and that your personal growth will benefit you and those around you, including your family, friends, neighbors, and others.

But keep in mind that, even if you’re a wiser person with a fresh perspective on life, you will not be able to change the world on your own. Remember to support, help, teach, reprimand, and love others. It makes sense to focus on yourself so that external factors do not have as much of an impact on you as they formerly did. Also, consider the people who want to change! Raising your level of consciousness to transcend challenges with a higher awareness is the way to go.

Heal yourself by using your past as motivation and your negative thoughts as stepping stones; eventually, problems that once consumed you will no longer affect you. Because You now have a new perspective on life that can contribute to the long-term growth and development of your World, self, and the World you want to change.

So, if you want to make a difference in the World, start with yourself.