There are as many ways to make the world better – as there are people.
The determination of those who step up to the front lines is remarkable. They lead important movements, care for the hurt and brokenhearted. The trailblazers guide, influence and motivate – often into uncharted territory.
The frontier I seek, and my preferred way to change the world, is through personal transformation, less ego and doing better. Directing my energy to heal wounds and increase self-knowledge develops me and my relations with my inner circle. As I grow so does my influence – like a rock sending ripples on a calm pond.
A day came when my need to do something MORE exploded. My fight instinct was triggered. So, I did things; large and small. My foray into a world of resistance, politics and social conflict was challenging. Hot buttons were pushed and deeply buried wounds exposed – casting me into a dark place. Forget about rocking the boat, I went into the sea. The experience certainly brought more insights, but it was unsettling and stressful.
Struggles aren’t good or bad, they inform.
My walk through that Dark Night of the Soul reaffirmed and deepened how I want to show up in the world.
By reframing my outlook on obstacles, I found ways to change the world personally and as an ally. Focusing my energy on what I want, not some looming doom – I found the stamina and creativity to contribute.
Symbolically I renamed a folder for email keepers – from “RESISTANCE” to “FREEDOM.” That’s where my ActBlue receipts go. How I participate with the freedom community has evolved and matured. Moments of temper still pay a visit, but they don’t derail me for long.
My internal candle supports the cause, as does my low-key external contribution. Knowing how to personally meet communal moments of unrest is important. Every approach when activated creates a bigger more diverse impact – and is more likely to succeed.
I want to be a part of a world that works together, rocks the boat, when we notice people and communities being wrecked. We’re all different, as are our talents and strengths to make waves. No need to tip the boat over.
“If the shoe doesn’t fit, must we change the foot?”
― Gloria Steinem
We’re born into a story. A story of culture and heritage – of country, shaped by region, city, neighborhood – fixed by family, gender, race and class. We believe this story as truth. Until one day … maybe, we can imagine something different.
Let me step outside my story, my comfort zone; see reality from a different vantage point. Change my perspective; make an actual paradigm shift.
Considering I’ve depended on Karma – with a CAPITAL K to take care of some of the most egregious shit-heads of the world a new story is a huge ask for me.
Yes – on occasion acceptance of things I can’t control is appropriate. Do I have the wisdom to know the difference between the things I can change and those I can’t? There’s a prayer for that!
Recently my Flipboard Newsfeed brought the Feb 2016, Time Magazine article 
The fresh, young millennial in last week’s yoga class had beautiful legs – with a light brown downy pelt of hair; soft and silky smooth. It was dazzling, amazing – lovely. She probably never put a razor to her legs once. Trying to remember why I spend any time at all on that activity. As a kid, I WANTED to shave my legs; made me feel all grown up – glamorous. Decades later that upkeep is frankly a pain in the ass.
Of course there’s THE BIG ONE . . . Hair! When I left the corporate world I gave myself permission to quit the tedious and expensive ritual of dying my hair. Chasing the auburn was wearing my ass out – and I suspected I’d be 100% white/gray. Boy-oh-boy was I scared! What would people think? Would I look old? – Ugly? What would they say at Hip-Hop class? I was extremely nervous, but determined. Luckily I found a private support group on Facebook that helped me re-frame the questions. Instead of wondering what other’s thought – I was encouraged to ask “What do I think?” Instead of worrying about looking old – they wanted to know “How did I like my new look?”
Just not buying that right now. We – men and women – are messy, complicated and peculiar. When I’m authentic, I contribute something unique to the world. It’s easier for me to make physical changes than behavioral adjustments. This experiment is moving my comfort zone . . . providing the impetus to brave the source of my beliefs behind appearances.