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Don't Try to Change the World, Change Yourself Instead
"Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself." - Leo Tolstoy
Too often we get caught up in trying to change the world. We may wish the world to be more peaceful, more pleasant, and more understanding. Whatever we wish the world to be like, we cannot lead the world there until we've reached there ourselves.
My family comes from a long line of blow uppers, who would blow up and overreact to the smallest inconveniences. It drove me nuts. No one does well in this type of environment, with over reactors sending out negative vibes. I got fed up, I felt like I just couldn't change the path that had been carved out. I was wrong.
When I heard the quote above it made me realize that I spent too much time trying to change the people around me, instead of changing who I was. I am not the type of person who overreacts, instead I like to go with the flow. I started mellowing myself out more, I started mediating, and becoming more peaceful inside. I started being who I wished others were.
I noticed a month into my transformation that my life had become more pleasant for me. The world itself seemed brighter, happier, and more peaceful. A few weeks ago my mom told me that she has become a more peaceful, calm person from just being around me. I also found out, my brother who lives in NY City, which is far away from PA (where I live), has even picked up on my calm approach to life. Due to what he has picked up, he has started leaving his work at the front door, and enjoys his time with his girlfriend and Oliver (their dog). I also have realized that the less critical I am of other people, the less I feel like I am being criticized. I believe that their is no reality, just perception. Thus, how we act and feel on the inside, really depicts how we see the world around us. For example, if you are a nice person, you will assume the people around you are nice (unless given reason to believe otherwise).
Before you try to change the world, first change yourself.
By Nomad
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All the things we used to think were happiness, in the end were only pleasures.
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