“Be the change you want to see in the world.” — Mahatma Gandhi

Being the Change We Wish To See Within The World

Have you ever found yourself in a new environment where you felt a little out of place? Say at a new job, or a social gathering, or maybe an event of some kind?

You stand there for a moment trying to gain your bearings. You may even look around you for clues on how to behave.

You’re out of your element and looking for a quick reference to what you’re supposed to do or how you’re supposed to act. We do it all the time, whether we know it or not. Our brains are hardwired to look for these clues.

This is called Social Proof.

Wikipedia says that social proof is, “… also known as informational social influence, is a psychological phenomenon that occurs in ambiguous social situations when people are unable to determine the appropriate mode of behavior. Making the assumption that surrounding people possess more knowledge about the situation, they will deem the behavior of others as appropriate or better informed.”

So what does this have to do with you, me and the world at large?

If we hope that any type of transformational change is going to happen within the world we have to be sure that the change we seek has to start somewhere. And that place, as Gandhi mentioned time and again, is a place within our own very hearts. Within our own lives. In our homes. Where we work. Where we socialize.

So as the world stumbles forward into a new paradigm people are going to feel awkward and a little off balance. They’ll look to those around them for guidance and examples of how to live in this new world.

And that example must start with us. With you and me.

Whether you know it or not people look up to you. They see you, what you do, how you speak, the way you interact with others, and they’re influenced by this behavior.

You are an influencer.

I’ve had a lot of people contact me lately asking questions like, “What can I do to help the world?” or, “How can I make a difference?”

We must realize that each and everyday we ARE influencing the world and people around us.

If we just take a moment and think to ourselves that we are ambassadors of a new age. That we’re the wayshowers of a new way of living then maybe we can be sure that we’re in alignment with a higher vision of ourselves.

You don’t have to be out there doing huge rallies or protests.

All you really have to do is come back to yourself. To your world. To the people that have been entrusted to you. To care and show that care through the daily service that you perform each and everyday.

We must continually remember that “We’re the people we’ve been waiting for.”

That any change that’s going to happen will happen through us. And by our own very example we will inspire others to do the same.

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
Theodore Roosevelt

Be inspirational!

Ian