Feel Free to Change the World.
I have this shirt that I snagged out of my dad’s giveaway pile when I was thirteen. It says, “feel free to change the world.” I’m not sure where it came from–a conference or a concert, maybe. Either way, I still have it. I’ve always loved wearing it–it’s over a decade old and it’s perfectly soft and oversized. But lately, I just feel guilty wearing it.
Feel free to change the world.
Yeah, right. What am I doing to change the world? Lately, it feels like a whole bunch of nothing. Just mundane routine until Friday, where the next two days will fly by and shoot me straight back to Monday morning.
Feel free to change the world.
So it’s a Monday morning, and I’m standing in front of the mirror, looking at the words on that shirt. And for the life of me, I can’t remember the last time that I truly believed I was going to change the world. And something about that makes me feel inexplicably exhausted.
Feel free to change the world.
I think that the problem with this is that we sit around and wait for an opportunity to present itself. It’s like walking into a friend’s house and having them say, “feel free to grab whatever you want from the kitchen!” And then standing there like a stranger, hungry, waiting on them to hand you something specific.
Feel free to change the world.
We could do something on our own, but we don’t. We stand there like a stranger in the kitchen, just waiting, waiting, waiting. We act like at some point between Monday morning’s drive to work and drinks on Friday night, the opportunity to change the world will tap us on the shoulder and whisper excitedly into our ear.
And that’s just not how it works.
Feel free to change the world.
Because we can, if we want to.
So here’s to remembering that we can change the world, even if it doesn’t look like the giant, grand opportunity we thought it would be. Here’s to speaking up for those who are quiet, to defending what we believe in, to putting our actions where our hearts are.
Feel free to change the world.
Here’s to changing the world in many ways, no matter how small, and to leaving your mark here, no matter how faint.
Feel free to change the world.
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It is nice to be reminded we have the choice to change the world, and it doesn't have to be this grand gesture or something many will talk about for years to come. There are so many ways to change the world and there are a lot of small unnoticeable ways that happen in our day to day that can change the world around. It is good to know and be reminded that I am able to change the world. It is for sure something I don't think of as often as I use too. I truly want to make today count for more than today, and it is possible I am free to do it. š
I think you're so right. Too often we sit and wait for those opportunities to just walk up and introduce themselves, but it doesn't work that way. We have to seek them out and choose them.
Amen girl! Love this!
This reminds me a lot of how I feel about my tattoo. On my right forearm I have a tattoo that says "To love another person is the see the face of God." (It's from the music Les Miserables.) I love it sooo much, but a lot of times I feel guilty when I look at it because I know that's not how I always live my life. I don't act very loving a lot of times, but I love how it's a reminder to me of how I should be loving to others.
So right! Every little bit makes a difference.
Absolutely love this! So inspirational. I totally needed to hear this today!
This is so fitting for a Monday! Loved it.
I love this! What a great thing to think about on a Monday! I think this is partly what caused me to quit my last job and take the job that I have now, even though it doesn't look like the "smartest" move. Today a kid came up to my office for help with his reading assignment and it was a lo of fun to take a few minutes out of my day and help this energetic little boy read a few pages of his book.
love this. and you. lunch asap
I love this!
Powerful- I just love your blog š Hope your week is going well!
Small steps to this every day – people are often halted by thinking it has to involve a lot of time, money, or planning. It doesn't.
no way should you feel guilty wearing that shirt!!! you can change the world and not even know you're doing it! what if one person's life is touched by the positivity you emit! by the lovely way you write! and what if that person helps another person! it can be the smallest ways, but i think changing the world starts pretty small. wear your shirt girl! š
Your kitchen analogy is actually so perfect. I love visiting your blog for a dose of happy inspiration/motivation.
I think little things can change the world as much as big things. Raising our kids to be good citizens, cleaning up a park, and so many other things change the world even if we don't see the results. š
This is too true. Big journeys always start with small steps!
Yea! I get discouraged ALL THE TIME when I have these thoughts like "I am one person, I don't know what I'm doing, I'm unoriginal, blah blah blah…" But then I think… It REALLY IS all the small moments and decisions that change the world. We choose what kind of culture we want to create and partake in and what kind of culture we don't. Those cultures and movements always start small and people most of the time grow and change slowly. But eventually, they CAN and DO change the world!! Get it girl.
I love that, and I feel so inspired now! š
So true. No matter how small it may be!
xo,
Jacqueline
stylininstlouis.com
lovely blog š
http://saltskinned.blogspot.com.au
Thanks so much for this kick in the butt reminder girl! Sometimes it does feel overwhelming to think about the bigger picture but we can have an impact!
I think we forget that we make an impact just by being kind to others and helping out when we can. It doesn't always have to look huge, you know? Good reminder.
Love this, thanks for sharing! x
Orange on orange
YES!!! I loved that analogy you used about standing in a friend's kitchen. I'm so glad you shared this… sometimes you just need a pep talk midweek! š XO
Amen! Love this! Definitely something we all need to remember and take to heart.
what a lovely reminder. i think i forget even how a small gesture like smiling at someone can turn around someone's day. and i love the mother teresa saying 'let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.'