It takes brave actions to make change. In order to make an impression and a difference, often rules need to be broken. Playing by the rules, staying with the status quo and keeping the waters quiet lead to stagnation and stems from fear. It doesn’t matter if you’re wanting to make wide sweeping social change or a change in your life, courage and a departure from the rules will be necessary.
We see examples of this every day in big and small ways. It could be a child pushing their boundaries. It could be a worker refusing to do a degrading task at work. It could be a revolution. No matter how big the action, change is inevitable. And thank goodness for those brave enough to take the chance.
Change is happening constantly. It makes me wonder why we’re so afraid of it. Aren’t you glad we have a bill of rights? Aren’t you glad women have the vote? Aren’t you glad we no longer live in caves? Aren’t you glad you moved out on your own? Where would we be if we never changed? I shudder to think!
There are many arenas in which change happens.
POLITICAL CHANGE:
We are currently witnessing a political change – the riots in Egypt. After 30 years of the same government (kind of sounds like Alberta a little, doesn’t it?), the people have HAD IT!
They are passionate and angry. They are willing to do whatever it takes to get Hosni Mubarek out of power. They need change. They want change. They won’t stop until they have change.
I heard a tape on the radio of a woman running from the police. It was chilling to hear her talking on a live feed with Al Jazeera as she ran looking for someone to hide her. She was afraid and she was determined. Another woman was interviewed talking about how she was 20 years old and had the same government all her life. She was so calm and collected despite having been beaten by the police earlier in the day. She very clearly in a steady voice with no hysterics stated that she would not stop no matter what they did to her. The fact that the protesters are breaking the rules every day is proof that big change is inevitable and generations to come will have these brave souls to thank for it.
CULTURAL CHANGE:
I heard a story recently from a Muslim woman who went to her grandfather’s funeral. It’s against the religion for women to go to burials – even family. Her grandfather was very important to her, so she went. Her uncles slowly brought her in closer and closer until she was amidst all the men near the burial site. She was given incense and placed it in the soil, as is the custom.
Back at the wake, she feared the reaction of her grandmother, aunts and other females in attendance. They were supportive and grateful to her. They felt she represented all of them at the ceremony.
This is a seemingly small gesture, yet it goes against 100’s of years of tradition. That one small, bold move could change the course of women in the culture greatly over time. One small step starts a journey.
INDEFINABLE:
I’ve been trying to decide on a category for this next one, but it covers so many areas. It’s cultural, it’s political, it’s for animals, it’s unbelievably brave!
For those of you who missed the movie, The Cove, which I’ve spoken of here before, you must run out and get it NOW!
It’s an adventure story, a story of risk, a story of love for a creature that sometimes seems smarter than we are and a story that, even after seeing it, I can’t fathom.
A group of film makers discovered that there are mass killings of dolphins occurring consistently in Japan. They risked their lives along with those of several divers and other helpers to get this story. The thought of what was being done is chilling. The risk to the lives and reputations of the people involved was high. If it weren’t so clearly a documentary, the story would be hard to believe.
What’s even more amazing is that the same government that tried to ban the movie and arrest the people involved invited them to the Japan film festival! Their risk could save the lives of 100’s and 1000’s of glorious creatures in the not too distant future.
PERSONAL.
I’m sure we all can think of people who have made a change for their own sanity or growth and how hard it was to do so. From the woman who leaves the husband who beats her despite the fears of what he will do and wondering where the next cheque will come to feed her kids is making a brave change. The person who leaves a job to pursue their dream while everyone else screams that they’re crazy is taking a big risk. The teenager who says no when everyone around them is trying meth is making a choice that may lead to a backlash that will take continued courage to endure.
What changes have you made? What changes are you willing to make to make your life and the lives of those around you better? What rock are you going to drop into the pool to make ripples you may never be aware of? Every small adjustment has huge consequences. Be brave. Take a risk. Make a change. You’ll be glad you did.
Be bold, my kitties.
Love, Christie