How to be a change-maker

Do you ever just wake up in the morning and wonder “what the actual fuck?” Do you often feel powerless in a world that moves with such intensity and speed that you can’t keep up? I know I do. It’s easy to feel lost as one person among 8.2 billion people — questioning how you can possibly make a dent in the seemingly endless amount of hurt of the world. Lately, I’ve been channeling energy into working out how to be a change-maker. Join me, won’t you?

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead

Margaret Mead was a cultural anthropologist, writer, and speaker who had a lasting impact on the understanding of the human experience in relation to culture as opposed to biology/race that was so popular among eugenicists (ew) at the time. Her work challenged the idea that human behavior was primarily a result of biology — instead arguing that humans are adaptable, able to transform through observation, stories, behavior, and influence of the people around them — that the nature of humanity can change. Does biology matter? Sure — but the impact of our culture is so much more significant and lasting across time. This very idea places the power for change in our hands, and that’s a powerful thing.

How to be a change-maker: start small

Gregg Levoy, author and contributing writer to Psychology Today, points out that anyone who desires to change the world will inevitably come across feelings of inadequacy. After all, big change is often slow and difficult to see. While that can be motivating for some, most folks will question their efforts, stagnate, even begin to feel hopeless.

Hopelessness, powerlessness — feelings that take us captive, hold us down, keep us from reaching our full potential. But how do we combat them when the world and its problems are so damn overwhelming? Well, I think we start by acknowledging that the world is full of big problems. Then, we take the enormity of it all and start small.

Recently, I’ve talked about the staggering amount of food insecurity in the United States. More than 50 million people rely on food program assistance every year (source feeding america). Those numbers are astounding and difficult to comprehend. Certainly, I know that I cannot solve this problem. However, it is possible to make an impact in my own community.

Feeling inspired to make a difference, I contacted our local food pantry and asked how our family could help. From packing summer lunches to delivering donations from grocery stores, there are so many ways to make a lasting impact in your neck of the woods. Starting small doesn’t mean that your impact is any less substantial than someone donating a million dollars to a cause. Truly, every act is of value. It matters.

Helping is infectious

The great thing about helping? It’s contagious. Studies conducted at the University of Texas in Austin have shown that observing cooperation, helping, and other prosocial behavior drives similar behaviors in others. When we help, we inspire others to do the same. This ripple effect can lead to change on a broader scale, even when we don’t see a huge impact.

We’ve only been helping with donation deliveries for a handful of weeks. Despite that, I’ve noticed a spark ignite in the kids. They ask more questions about how they can help. Motivated by each other, they are excited to see how they (as kids) can make a difference in their own community. They inspire one another and I am inspired by their veracity to be change-makers.

Yes, the world is full of heart-break and tragedy. Thankfully, we always have the power to advocate for change. Still wondering how to be a change-maker? Please read this article by Gregg Levoy. Come back and share your take-aways with me. How will you commit to making your corner of the world a better place?

Peace, love, & passion for becoming change-makers, moody mortals.