You can’t do everything, but you can do a lot

Change. What does it mean? Why, as a generation, as a society, as humans - are we so obsessed with the idea of change? And if we’re so obsessed with bringing about change, why are so few of us actually doing anything? Has it lost it’s meaning - has it become something sexy to write and talk about in order to spark discussion which ultimately leads to nothing?

When we talk about change - we look at the big picture. We want to save the environment, we want to end world hunger, we want to bring world peace. This, ultimately, is the inherent flaw in our thought process. We’re thinking too big. We all want to change the world by ourselves - but I’ll let you in on a secret…it’s impossible. There is no way that you or I can take it on alone. One person can not and will not ever do everything, but one person can do something, one person can do a lot, one person can set a spark that stares a wildfire of change throughout their community.

Be the change you want to see in the world

Think about it - the world doesn’t need to be changed, we need to change ourselves. We talk about ‘going green’ in order to save the environment - but the environment doesn’t need saving except for our own benefit.. The environment is only at the point of needing to be saved because we have been slowly killing Mother Nature for thousands of years, she would be much better off if none of us existed and we would just leave her alone.

The point I’m illustrating is that change comes from within, and it’s OK to be selfish, it’s OK to change for yourself. No one can tell you to change, no one can make you believe something. You have to want to - and you have to be willing to step outside of your comfort zone, try new things, and become a selfless human being. All of these are much easier said than done. Changing the world is bigger than us, and when we’re facing such a monumental task, it’s easy to say, “What can I possibly do that will make a difference?” - and the answer is, “A lot”…

Over the past couple months I’ve done a lot of thinking about change - I’ve spent countless hours contemplating what I can do with my life and my career that is profitable, self fulfilling, and beneficial to society. Through this thought process, I’ve been inspired by many people around me who share similar passions. Selfless, dedicated individuals who genuinely want to make a difference and serve others.

But don’t take my word for it

So I reached out to them, and the response was overwhelming. I asked some of my peers to take some time to look within themselves and to think about change, and more specifically, how people struggle with it.

Throughout the month of May at Life Without Pants, the spotlight is coming off of yours truly. I am so proud to have gathered some of the most intelligent and insightful thinkers of our generation. This month, Akhila Kolisetty, Ruby Ku, Eva Rykr, Carlos Miceli, Grace Boyle, Samantha Karol, Jun Loayza, Shereen Qutob, Rikin Diwan, and maybe a few others will share their thoughts on the ‘Inconvenience of Change’.

I promise you each article will offer you a fresh, inspirational perspective on change, what it means, and why it’s important. By the end of the month, you’ll have all the inspirational tools you need to get out there and start enacting change into your own lives. I believe, and I think I speak for most of us when I say that raising awareness, writing about social change, and inspiring others is half the battle. If your questioning your own impact and influence, if you need your role in all of this more clearly defined, these next few weeks will provide you with an outlet for your own self-realization.

Get involved in discussion - question others - challenge yourself - raise doubt - face your fears. Change is scary for most of us, we fear the unknown. It’s never easy and it always involves work. That work, the effort involved in making a difference, THAT’S the part that stops most people. Don’t let it anymore. Today is the day you stop TELLING yourself “I’m going to change”. Today is the day that you actually start doing it.

“They say that time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself” -Andy Warhol