How many times have you heard the phrase “Be the change that you want in the world” or something similar to that? You might think that the words are empty or sound trite.

What does it mean to “be the change”? What change? How? When?

When you feel broken and a victim of your circumstances, you will not be able to rise. Owning self-power and believing in your abilities takes effort.

I have heard time and time again how people want to be successful, rich, powerful, happy—whatever. But when I ask them: “How are you going to do that?’ The responses I receive are pretty much all the same: “That’s too hard.” Or: “That person got lucky.” There’s always an excuse.

The only way I know of having sustained success in achieving your goals is by getting in the sandbox and working. We cannot build a masterpiece until we try and fail.

A great change in ourselves takes effort. And effort means sustained energy over time.

When little, my grandfather taught me how to ride a bike. I was scared. He held the back of my seat, and I peddled, but I didn’t have the strength, and I would fall. My grandfather stayed with me, and we kept trying and trying until I got it. Then I went out on my own and tried.

But the story goes on from there. Yes, I learned how to ride a bike, and like many kids in the ‘80s, I jumped ramps, went into the woods and jumped over all sorts of things. One day my friends and I had the brilliant idea of riding our bikes full speed around the local baseball diamond and then jam our brakes on as we came over the home plate so that we could throw dirt (from braking fast) up in the air. Yeah, that would be cool. My one friend did it, another one did, and then I went.

I peddled as hard as I could, went around the bases, and stood up and went as fast as I could toward home plate. I went to jam my brakes on and turn the bike sideways so that the dirt would fly up in the air, but my brakes caught. I didn’t stop. I crashed right into the cage behind where the batter would stand and hurt myself.

A hospital visit later, along with several stitches, taught me a thing or two.

Did I give up bike riding? No. Did I stop being a fool running full speed at home plate to brake and look cool? Yes.

“Be the change you want in the world.”

That’s going to take time, effort, and practice, just like riding a bike.

The beauty of change and making a difference in the world is that you can do it right now. How? You’re reading this, aren’t you?

Now, what are you going to do after reading this post? What dream do you have that will help others and change the world for the better?

Change can be life-altering not for making you a million dollars but because of your personal goals. It all depends on what you want.

The journey starts today and will end when your days on this earth come to pass.

When you try and take that first step, keep going. Fall, dust yourself off and get up.

Change takes time (and patience).

What are you waiting for?

Like what you’ve read? Be sure to check out my other posts in my Let Go and Be Free blog.