submitted by jwithrow.
This essay is written for those who feel that our society has lost its way.
We see a world in which the collectivist rat race has suppressed minds and spirits. Selfishness and corruption have replaced kindness and honesty. Humility and grit have been replaced by a culture of irresponsibility and instant gratification.
Turn on your preferred news channel and they will be quick to point their collective finger at some group or another and tell you all about how everything is their fault. Now turn off your television and ask your inner self who is really at fault.
Guess what, dear friend? It’s your fault.
Before we can ever expect to see an honest and just society, we must first foster honour and justice within ourselves. We must stop pointing our fingers at others and begin to cultivate our own garden.
Most people are terrified of being different so they attempt to “fit in” at all times. Most people go along to get along so they conform to the status-quo in society. But if you set a shining example of humility, kindness, honesty, and responsibility then others will be encouraged by your example. There is universal truth in the old adage that says “actions speak louder than words”.
I will leave you with the following quote, written by an unknown monk around 1100 A.D.:
“When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world.
I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation.
When I found I couldn’t change the nation, I began to focus on my town. I couldn’t change the town and as an older man, I tried to change my family.
Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself, and suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family.
My family and I could have made an impact on our town.
Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world.”