Can you imagine if there was a college course called “How to change the world“? I’m sure it would be PACKED! Afterall, who hasn’t thought about changing the world at some point, especially during our college years.
But what happened along the way to those ideas? It seems like at some point we stopped dreaming, got distracted, or didn’t believe we could make an impact.
Or maybe some of us experienced what the former heavyweight champ, turned philosopher, Mike Tyson described when he said,
“Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.”
Somewhere in between paying student loans, getting married, and a mortgage many of us settled for a different reality. It’s a reality based more on false limitations we created based on social conditioning.
This reminds me of Les Brown‘s quote when he said,
“Don’t let someone else’s opinion of you become your reality.”
Whatever the reason, I could write a long post filled with bullet points on how to change the world based on stuff great leaders have done. But instead, let’s keep it short and sweet because it’s 7:30 AM and my kids are about to wake up.
I’ll leave you with this poem I recently found that captures the essence of my upcoming book and this idea of “How to change the world.”
I first heard this quote from Dan Miller on his 48 Days podcast. He said he saw it written on the tomb of an Anglican Bishop in the crypts of Westminster Abbey in London, England.
“When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country.
But, it too, seemed immovable.
As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it.
And now as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realize: If I had only changed my self first, then by example I would have changed my family.
From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country and, who knows, I may have even changed the world.”