Be the Change...

You simply can't please everyone (and you shouldn't). The problem with todays society is the typical "my way or the highway" approach. As individuals, we don't want to listen. We don't want to understand. We see it how we see it and that's the end of it. We can't compromise. We can't take constructive criticism. We can't see the value in outside opinions and resources. It's sad really. It negatively impacts our relationships. It impacts the way we treat others. It impacts self growth. It impacts our goals and ambitions. More importantly, it impacts the greater good of the ENTIRE world. You see, if we can't learn to work with one another and understand one another, this world is never going to find peace.

You don't have to agree with someone. You don't have to change your beliefs for anyone. You don't have to change the way you do something because someone else tells you to. However, as a general population we NEED to work together. We need to allow ourselves to listen, to understand, and to be open to change.

I'm not sure why individuals are so resistant to outside help. Maybe it's something to do with pride? Maybe we don't want to face failure? Maybe we are just so caught up in this vicious cycle that we know nothing different? I'm not sure. Quite honestly, I don't care what the reasoning is. There's not a good enough reason out there to outweigh the negative impact this mindset creates for us and those around us.

Society needs a wake up call. This world needs to do better... to be better. It starts with each and every one of us. It requires letting down our guards. Swallowing our pride. Allowing someone else the opportunity to speak what's on their mind, and WHY it may be on their mind in the first place.

This world is built off of so many different cultures, religions, beliefs, values, identities, races, etc. We are NOT always meant to hold the same characteristics, share the same beliefs, carry out the same traditions, so on and so forth. Nonetheless, we ARE expected to be respectful, nurturing, loving, understanding, helpful, and kindhearted people regardless of where we came from or what we believe in.

Whether your opinion aligns or is different from another, it's your duty to be respectful and treat them the way you would want to be treated. We are unique for a reason. It's GOOD to have differences of opinion. It's GOOD to challenge someone else's thoughts. It's GOOD to have conversation and communicate what you believe in. We ALL have a voice. We are all obligated to use that voice. To speak it. To be heard. To be understood.

I encourage you to be the change this world needs. I encourage you to let him or her speak their voice next time you have a conversation and I encourage you to listen (to really listen), to try and understand them, and if you don't, be respectful and value that each is entitled to their own opinion. It's not overly complicated. Let me tell you, if each person started to take this approach, I can guarantee the world would slowly become a different place.

Sure, I am one person. You might be thinking, this girl is crazy for believing she can change the world with her little blog post. My goal isn't to change the world on my own. That's not what I am doing here. Yeah, it would be cool, but it's going to take a whole lot of people (more than just me) uniting and changing their stubborn ways to create REAL change.

Why am I here? I am here to make an impact. I am here to get you thinking. I am here to tell you it's okay to use your voice. It't okay to be understood and it's okay to be misunderstood. It's okay to be wrong. It's okay to be right. We all have learning and growing to do. We can all benefit from conversation and interaction. We all have the opportunity to initiate change and create something more than just each one of us. The world is so much more than just you or me.

Are you willing to set aside your differences to make this world a better place? As I said earlier, this creates impact on your everyday life, not just the world. The way you communicate, interact, and carry yourself is how you are perceived by those around you. It's what makes or breaks relationships. It's what determines how far interactions and conversations go. It's what gets you the job or doesn't. It's what allows you to reach goals in a timely manner or to not reach them at all. IT MATTERS. If you are too stubborn to change, you are only holding yourself back and everyone else around you.

We can all benefit from setting aside our pride and focusing on something greater than ourselves. It's about the future. It's about creating a world that will make it for the long haul. Think about your future kids, grandkids, great grandkids, great-great grandkids, etc. They are counting on YOU, on US.

Being entitled to your opinion does not mean your opinion is the only opinion. Using your voice does not mean your voice is the only voice. It's important to speak up. It's important to voice yourself. It's important to hold true to who you are. All the same, it's important to listen, to understand, and to be open to the individuals around you. We all want to be heard, but if we don't let those around us speak their piece... how are we supposed to speak ours? It goes both ways. Intention and perception do not always go hand in hand. We need to be communicative. We need to let ourselves be heard in addition to allowing others the chance to speak. It’s a dual effort. We all have to partake in this change.

Change feeds off of positive action. Allow for positive action. Engage in the change. Be the change.