On change

So this morning at church, something was said that really struck a chord with me- and it wasn't by the pastor. A woman gave a "monologue" (hard to explain- my church is bizarre), and she talked about how we can all change the world. I know it's cliché, but as she was talking, I realised- you know she's right.

Now, she was referring more to a Christian context, but this can be considered more generally. The fact is- each and everyone one of us has a substantial amount of power to change the world- more than we probably appreciate. Let's consider the many ways in which we can have a direct impact on the larger world.

1) Our power as voters.

Anyone who is a citizen of a democratic country (which, admittedly, does not include everyone, but likely includes all of my readers) can play a direct role in the government of that country by voting. Sure, you might say, "how much does my vote REALLY count?". Additionally, you might question the legitimacy and honesty of the vote counting process (e.g., US in 2000). The reality is the real power comes in large groups, call them voting blocks- but groups are made up of individuals.

Even if our direct influene in national-level politics is limited, we have much greater influence on the more local scale. The town from which I hail has about 10 000. Let's assume that 7 500 are eligibe to vote. Of which 2 500 make the effort to vote in local elections (since most people really don't care). Well, 1 vote out of 2500 is a lot more powerful than 1 vote out of 20 million. A margin of victory of 10% (and it is often much less than this) is only 250 votes! So- each vote really counts.

2) Our power as consumers

This one is huge. Everything we buy- or don't buy- exerts a great amount of influence. This varies depending on what product is being purchased. Let'S take an ear of corn as the first example. Your decision to purchase an ear of corn has the following implications. Firstly, and most obviously, it effects your own life since you are likely to consume that ear of corn in the short term. Secondly, if you buy it from the grocery store, it helps fund this grocery store. This, in turn, has implications for the managers of the store, in addition to the employees, possibly family members of employees and managers, and even people seeking a job at the grocery store (the more business the store does, the more people they can hire, and the more they can pay them). It effects companies which sell their items at the grocery store since your desire to purchase that ear of corn exposes you to a myriad of other products, which you may likely buy. Thirdly, (or secondly if you buy it from a market/directly from a farm), it affects the farmer growing the corn.

Yes, perhaps this is a bit of a stretch- after all, does one ear of corn, costing about 30 cents, make a real difference? What about the 100 ears of corn you and your family may consume throughout the summer? What about the 100 kg of meat you may consume during the year? What about the 15000$ car you just bought- and the gas required to run it- and the insurance you need to purchase. These things have extraordinary impacts on the economy- and these are all results of the actions of a single individual.

3) Our power is tax payers

This one doesn't need too much explaining- and it might not refer to those of us who are currently impoverished students. But people who have a steady salary will pay taxes on it- and these taxes are essential to the budget of your government. So, in this sense, the government depends on YOU for its very existence.

4) Our power over our environment

Every single action has an impact on our environment. By individual life choices, we can help make our world greener- or more polluted. You may think we have little power to revolutionise the world. And perhaps this is partially right. However, in this respect, we do have extraordinary power to improve the state of our environment. I have written about this substantially. One person's decision to eat 150g of meat or less (instead of the average 350 g), has far-reaching implications. This saves over 50kg of meat per year! Think of the impact on the "meat farms" (euphemism), and the butcher shops. That's just if one person kept consumption to 150 g / day. The amount almost doubles if they chose to go vegetarian. And what if 2 or 3 peopel do this? 3 million? Or what if the same person chooses not to drive, or chooses to drive a hybrid vehicle? Or decreasing your electricity consumption? Or refusing to use disposable dishes? There is SO much that each of us could do as individuals that if we only do half of what we could the impact would be enormous.

5) The power of relationships

This may also sound cliché, but every single relationship we have changes the world. The impact can range from getting married, having children, and influencing the world directly through your children. After all, you never know whether or not you will give birth to a great person. But even on more platonic relationships. We may underestimate the impact these have. It's like a chain reaction. I think of my good friends. Individuals who have invested some of their time and engery in caring about me, and in spending time with me. I think of them and how they've influenced me to become the person I am right now. This isn't to say that I seek to become a clone of my friends. Instead, of my best friends, I might say that there is a little bit of each of them in me. Any subsequent friendships I may make will therefore involve the original influence of my good friends.

We may undervalue the power of friendships. I've heard stories of people on the brink of suicide not going through with it because someone reached it. Or people who were otherwise underacheivers were motivated to succeed by none other than good friends. I know that if it weren't for some very good friends of my own, I would never have gone to Mae Sot, and if I had never gone to Mae Sot, I would not be who I am right now.

This may seem convoluted. That is because it is convuluted. What's important to grasp is that we all have extraordinary power to change the worlds just based in our interaction with individuals. This is most amazing thing for me. I often think of myself as living in a bit of a bubble. I don't realise the impact I may have on other people. I wish and long to influence other people, but since people rarely acknowledge any specific actions, I am often led to believe that my life has little impact. That said, to me, I can't think of a single thing that makes me happier than having the power to make someone else's life in some way better. It's an amazing thing really.

6) The power of ambition.

There is one last way we can change the world- directly. I wrote an entry some time ago on ambition. http://rliamo144.blogspot.com/2008/05/on-ambition-15-january-2007.html Many of us have grandiose and pie in the sky dreams. Granted, most of us will never realise these dreams. For those of us who don,t realise these dreams, these dreams are still important because they guide us in a "beneficial direction". And as I said in that other entry, ambition can (and often does) inspire people around you. But, more importantly for this entry, dreams occasionally are realised. With a lot of ambition, a lot of hard work, and a lot of luck, you or me might become the next great person. Maybe president of the US? Maybe the next Bill Gates? Maybe the next William Shakespeare? Think of how much you can change the world then!


Conclusion:

So what's the main message of this entry? We should appreciate just how much power we have to change the world, in almost every decision we make. As voters, consumers, tax payers, friends, neighbours, and dreamers. We change the world in many direct or indirect ways. Let's all appreciate this great power..... and use it responsibly!!!

What does it mean to be responsible? This could be argued, but this is my opinion. First of all, let's aim for a green earth and a sustainable society. Secondly, let's aim for a tolerant, benign, and effective government. Let's aim for coroporate responsibility and improved quality of consumer goods. Let's aim for future generations (our chlidren) to be responsible and contributing members of our world. Let's aim to see the best in everyone and to inspire them. Let's aim to do our share to improve the lives of our brothers/neighbours/fellow human beings. Let's aim to innovate and revolutionise our world.

There's no excuses. We all have control over ourselves and our actions. Use your power to its fullest!