Change Your Self: Change the World

The fundamental challenge to any form of personal, social, or societal change lies in the often profound disconnect between our thoughts, words and actions. In essence, we think one thing in private, say another in public and then act in contradiction to both our thoughts and words. This leads to one of greatest hindrances to any lasting change whether personal or societal, local or global, which is hypocrisy. Unless and until our actions, words and deeds are in congruence—we will tend to undermine our own actions. The fundamental premise behind all change is to realize both on the individual and global level that nothing happens in a vacuum. Everything is connected and affects everything. In simple words, the only way to lasting change is by first being an example of the change we are seeking. If a nation desires a world without weapons of mass destruction, it must first destroy its own weapons of mass destruction. In short, the ends do not justify the means in any sphere of change. Principles are higher than personalities. In order to bring internal integrity and unified action, we must unite the various discordant aspects of our being into a unified Self. To accomplish this, we must know our authentic Self before we can unify it. In short, we must transform our own “consciousness” in order to create internal and external change. The essential four steps to lasting change are: First, Have a vision; Second, Live the vision; Third, Share the vision; and Fourth, Teach the vision. Through this simple 4-step approach lasting inner and outer change can be accomplished.