Do you think we can change ourselves? Can we change society and the world?
Yes, we can. I do believe we can change the situation even little by little. We can surely change ourselves and the world.
We sometimes blame and criticize the situation and the people involved, but there are many social re-makers or designers who are constantly and patiently making efforts to change the self and society and thus create a better world.
Heraclitus said, "Everything changes with time. You cannot step twice into the same river." Humanity has been transformed and progressed up to now. Everything grows and goes through the process of internal and external transformation. It is only a matter of time; it depends on personal maturity, intuition, understanding, willpower, and experiences.
The other day, I argued with my colleague about the possibility of personal change. She thought something cannot be changed at all forever. It seems that she still believes in the rule of the immutable law of the original state.
Collaborating with her, I noticed some undesirable attitudes and I especially felt sorry for her hasty behavior. So after hesitating for a while, I simply mentioned the problem of being in a hurry.
"Hey. You are so hasty. Why don't you take time? Please just wait a moment. If you breathe a few seconds more, we can fully appreciate the beauty of the last cut of slides. You always lose the suggestiveness of the last cut to make the PowerPoint work on time."
"Why do you speak like that? There is something in personality that cannot be changed. For the last twenty years, I couldn't change it. It is so painful to hear that but I can't change myself."
"If it is a matter between you and me, I would be patient and not say anything. As you know, it is a matter of us and the audience."
"The audience will not know the delicate parts of each program."
"Oh, no. They know and sense. Of course, some might not sense the delicate process, but we must have more composure and calmness while conducting the program."
Being a diligent and prompt person, I am inclined to do the given task immediately as far as I can. However, as I grow old, I realize working in a hurry is not so desirable and good. So I am conscious of the present moment and taking time to appreciate and remain in the moment.
I believe everything can be changed. For some people, it might take more time to change, but everything develops and is transformed because we are living each moment anew.
We have flesh, blood, and bones. Flesh and blood are continually changing and renewing the cell and its flow. It is said that the blood is changed every four months, the flesh every year, and the bones every two years. The face changes shape every four years.
Our bodies are changing and growing constantly. As it is, our spirituality and personality are also growing and changing. Sometimes a personality can be stubborn and fixed, but the supernatural power, especially the Holy Spirit can change everything.
M. Gandhi advised us to change the self first before reforming the country. Honda Gen said, "the best re-tech is the change of the self." As Oliver Goldsmith said, we have to keep changing if we want to attain happiness and wisdom.
The kingdom of heavens is the history of change and the beginning of change comes from looking at the image of God. To change the self, we need constant self-discipline with dreams and vision. By ourselves alone, we can only achieve less than ten percent of change. The remaining ninety percent of transformation depends on the grace of God.
There are many examples of change like Barack Obama, Park Won-soon, and Ahn Cheol-soo. By being attentive to look and examining the self, we can start to change the self and pursue common goodness in the world.
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/opinion/2012/02/137_104098.html
The Korea Times/ Thoughts of the Times/ Feb. 4-5, 2012
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