Become The Change You Want To See

All of the major changes in life and society, like the Civil Rights Movement, the call to save the environment, and even women obtaining the right to vote, did not just happen on their own.
People didn’t just sit back and say, “Man, that isn’t how it should be. I’m just going to stand back and see what happens.” These changes came about because someone stood up and said, “I am going to make a change and this is what I am going to do.”
You, too, have visions of a changed world for you, your family, and your children. You want to see a safer, more environmentally friendly, and peaceful world to live in. You want to see all of these changes, but you really want and need is to become the change that you want to see. You have to do your part to implement the change and influence others to create the change as well. No matter what the change is that you want to see occur, there are ways that you can become the change instead of just being a spectator. Change is not a spectator sport.
Gather Information
The first step that you should take is to become as much of an expert as you can on the subject of your change. With access to the Internet, bookstores, and libraries, you can easily gather information. You should also find organizations that focus on your area of change. These organizations are a great source of information and provide an outlet for you to get involved in their fight, struggle, or effort.
For example, if you feel very strongly about helping to protect and save the environment there are many resources available to read and gather information on what you can do to help this fight. TreeHugger.com is just one of many websites that provides tips and advice on how you can live a greener life in all areas from work and home to what clothes you buy and how you build your house. Organizations like Greenpeace strive to protect and preserve various aspects of the environment. You can read their literature and even join a chapter to join their efforts.
No matter how small or large the scale of your change may be, every little bit counts. Arming yourself with knowledge is the first step you can take to make the change happen.
Spread the Word
After you information gather, you should feel like you are educated enough on the topic to start taking action. One of the ways you can act toward the change is to spread the word to others. This doesn’t mean you have to be a radical, protesting in the streets kind of change maker. It simply means that you can share your knowledge, feelings, and opinions to help educate others and spread the word.
Back to the being eco-chic example, you can send articles and information you see on TreeHugger.com to your friends and family. There are simple tips that everyone can use to help leave less of a carbon footprint on the environment, and by simply sharing this information, you can implement change by the people who are reading what you forward or who listen to what you are saying.
Actions Speak
It takes more than forwarding emails and talking about what you have learned to become the change you want to see. You have to act. Your actions have to complement the beliefs you have about the change that you want to see happen. This means buying energy efficient appliances, recycling, using cloth grocery bags instead of paper or plastic to become more environmentally friendly. This means taking whatever steps are in your power to practice what you preach, so to speak. This also means teaching your children and engaging other members of your family to act in the same manner.
Whether it’s helping to save the environment, stop overdevelopment in your community, create a better school system for your children, or just to make your community a cleaner place to live, you can only control your actions, but you can help to influence others by what you do.