How to change the world

Start by changing yourself

There are two ways to change the world: top-down, or bottom-up. In the first, change is enforced when a law is passed, a political initiative started, or orders come from above.  The bottom-up approach, on the other hand, relies on each of us to change ourselves; as we change, not only does the world become an incrementally better place, but we can also influence those we meet.

The top-down approach is flawed for a simple reason: those who seek power are least suited to having it. This holds true in politics, organized religion, and business. Read a newspaper and you will come across at least one story of a corrupt politician, a religious leader who took advantage of his flock, or a business executive who abused his position.

Humans suffer from greed, selfishness, pride, and host of other malign traits. So I offer you a simple recipe for disaster: push for top-down change without first understanding and improving yourself.

Egregious examples of this include: pro-life activists lobbying for legislation, and happy to kill those in favour of abortion; devotees praying to their god for a loving and peaceful world, without showing love and peace themselves; parents demanding an anti-bullying campaign at their local school, but carelessly callous to their juniors at work.

Bottom-up change is the most important work that you can do. When you find yourself lobbying for some organisational change then stop for a moment. Think. Look in the mirror. Be sure that you are living in line with the change that you’re asking others to make.

"You must be the change that you wish to see in the world"    - Mahatma Gandhi

"Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind."   - Henry James