4 Steps to Change the World

“Ours is not the task of fixing the entire world all at once, but of stretching out to mend the part of the world that is within our reach. What is needed for dramatic change is an accumulation of acts, adding, adding to, adding more, continuing. We know that it does not take “everyone on Earth” to bring justice and peace, but only a small, determined group who will not give up during the first, second, or hundredth gale.” – Clarissa Pinkola Estes

I woke up to snow covered ice this morning.  It’s breathtakingly beautiful outside.  Simply stunning.  The kids are home from school (again) with “Cyber School” homework to boot. Which of course, is not a coincidence, that this was my planned quote to write about today.  It shifts the context for me a little and that’s exactly what was meant to be.

I love this quote for so many reasons.  It addresses 4 main topics I’m passionate about sharing with you.

1.  You don’t have to change or fix the whole world right now.  You just have to do your part, where you are. 

That means you’re on the hook.  I’m on the hook.  We are responsible to do what we can today to mend hearts within our reach.  Today my task is to mend the precious hearts of two little boys in my house (and in the snow) because that is what’s within my reach.

I’m also reaching out through this note, to your heart, which for some reason is within my reach today.  My reach has changed a lot over the last year and I see it changing everyday. It’s always so beautiful to see that my life experiences and my desire to serve you, sometimes reach you at just the right time, in just the right way.  Those moments remind me of this quote.

Each day, I will mend what I can reach and I will reach out again tomorrow to spread love only as far as I can reach.

What about you?  What part of the world is within your reach?  It’s your task to stretch out your heart and your hand to mend that part.  To love the ones you can reach.  No more.  No less.  It’s up to you.

2.  What is needed to create huge change in this world happens one outstretched heart and hand at a time.  Repeat.  Daily. 

When we look at the mountains of problems in the world that need fixing, it’s overwhelming.  We feel so small and inadequate, but change happens one small act of love at a time. Followed by another small act of love.  Until suddenly we turn around to see how far we’ve come.

We’ve climbed a mountain.

What’s one small act of love you can do today?  Right where you are.  For the people within your reach.

Love them sister.  Only you can.

3.  You can’t wait for everyone else to join you.

Everyone isn’t going to choose to love.  Everyone isn’t going to make the difference you can.  Only you can bring justice and peace within your reach.

Only you.

Not your neighbor, your spouse, your children, your friends, or the leaders you admire.  They can’t bring peace to your world.  Only you can do that.  It’s entirely up to you.

4.  Don’t quit.

I know it’s cliche.  It’s cliche because everyone knows it’s true.  You simply cannot give up.  Believe me, I am swallowing my own medicine on this one.   You can’t quit during the first gale, the second…. or the hundredth!

(Ouch!  A hundred difficult situations? A hundred mountains to climb?)

Maybe.  Maybe not.  Maybe for you it will only take 10.  Or maybe it will take 100. Please don’t give up when you get to 99.

We need you.  

Start today.  Mend the part of the world that is within your reach.

To more love,

Crystal