This quote from Gandhi is usually invoked to silence the complainer. You know, if you can’t put up, shut up.
Recently, I received the full quote, “Be the change you wish to see in the world,” at the bottom of an email from my Wednesday night yoga instructor, Tracy. Each time we begin and end a class, we sit in silence and think about our relationship to the natural world and the other creatures in it. It’s a good centering activity for remembering our mutual interdependence and our responsibility for shepherding the good in life.
Having this intention during each class helps me to work on the different poses with more concentration and success. And, I leave most classes humbled by my struggle with the physical practice and also the notion that there is so much more I could do to improve life for myself and others.
But then I’m quickly back in my usual day to day, regularly noting all of the things that are amiss in the world—our dependence on oil, global warming, corrupt politicians, inequity in health care delivery—and not doing much of anything about it all. Except grouse and complain.
Noticing What Needs Attention
Most days, I take my dogs for a circular four mile walk near our home. We begin and end on dirt roads, but the middle of our walk is along a relatively quiet paved road that connects Hillsboro and Washington, NH. It is a residential area, abutting woods and for the most part very pleasant.
However, months ago, out on my own on a slightly rainy day when I left the dogs at home, I counted over sixty bottles and cans, assorted plastic containers, and other stray articles along the route. The counting was simply an exercise to pass the time and a curiosity to me that this tranquil area could be so heavily “trashed” when so lightly trafficked. Angry that others could be so insensitive and selfish, I promised myself that I would get back out there within the week to clean up what I had noticed. I did not.
With three leashed pups in tow on subsequent walks, I let myself off the hook for picking anything up. It would be nearly impossible to carry a big trash bag while busy tending my charges. Besides, I would pick up stray plastic six-pack holders, so that a bird wouldn’t get its neck caught. And I’d also snare pieces of broken glass in the road so another dog or walker wouldn’t get cut. I was doing something. But each day I took that walk, I felt a tug of guilt over my failure to follow through on cleaning up the wake of castaways now buried beneath taller grass.
Vindication by Taking Responsibility
There is much in the world that seems outside of our control. By myself, I can’t change a culture where so many drivers consider their personal automobile space more important than the natural world. Alone, I can’t end teenage drinking. Without everyone agreeing to use fewer disposable products, I can’t stop roadside deposits of refuse.
We often complain on a general level that “the world is going to pot,” but we know to make any more noise would call attention to the fact we haven’t done much toward fixing the things that need attention. That’s a sneaky, contributing source to apathy. How can we stop intense consumerism, blind disregard for the safety of others or make other accountable for their actions in any meaningful, if we fail to take responsibility for what we see?
I can shake my fist and scream, “Don’t be such a pig!” Because it’s not my trash, and I obviously care about the natural world. But where does that get me? Once I see what needs to be done, it’s up to me alone to follow up in any way that I can. If I take action, then I can claim positive contribution and be more at peace knowing that I did make a difference. And then I really can raise a hornet’s nest of complaint, and urge others to do as I have.
Moving from Complaint to Action
So much of what is out of whack is within our control, if we break what seems large and overwhelming down into smaller tasks or projects. Or simply take responsibility for doing our small part.
It took me twice as long to walk that four-mile loop, when I finally stopped to pick up all the trash I’d been noticing for months. My haul was substantial: 60 aluminum cans, 10 whole or broken bottles, 20+ assorted plastic and paper containers, and an ugly pile of other tangible evidence that I noticed and did something about it.
Picking up trash along the side of the road may not seem like much. But every day I take that walk, I enjoy my surroundings that much more knowing that I’ve chosen to be an active steward to keep it clean. If I find a new can or bottle in the days ahead, it will be only one I need to pick up to preserve what is beautiful and shared by all.
Where is Your Next Move?
We can choose to buy and consume differently. We can tutor those who need help. We can teach others what we know how to do. We can give our time and money to causes that respond to our sorrow or outrage, and our sense of what the right thing is to create change. Through our actions—both large and small, we can be the change we want to see in the world.
Each of us notices what needs attention as we move through our days. We really do know what we can do make a difference.
Complacency is easy. What will you do?
Tags: personalresponsibility, change agent, taking action, change agent, taking action
