You Are A Leader

It seems like it was yesterday that everyone was hyped up about how computers would crash and planes would fall from the sky with the coming new millenium. Here we are, a decade later. The computers did not crash, but planes did fall in this decade. Natural disasters, terrorism and crime have dotted this decade, more so than any other in my humble opinion. Death and destruction have run rampant both by man and by Nature.

My small piece of the world has not been affected so harshly as the world as a whole. This decade brought to me my wonderful wife, great health and a divorce from the corporate world. My views on politics, spirituality,the environment and society has changed drastically over this decade. I have had my share of bumps in the road during this time. I believe I have grown and become wiser as the years have gone by.

The environment has been given more attention in this decade, however it seems to be more political positioning rather than true change. We close out this decade with no real progress taking place in Copenhagen and no real change on a political front to stop contributing to our planets destruction. The governments have failed, world leaders are more interested in their wallets and you and me are left scratching our heads.

Resolutions are made by individuals with the turning of each new year. A phrase that speaks to my heart and soul is from Ghandi who said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Let that be our resolution with the turning of this year. Let us be the change we seek for the reclamation of our lives, our natural resources, our environment…our very existence.

We cannot rely on others in power to make changes that affect our world in a positive direction. We, as individuals, must BE the change we seek. We must live our lives responsibly and with purpose. We as a family, must come together to bring about the change we desire and need. This will require work and some pain on our part. True change does that as we shed off the harmful influences in our lives. We have to make better concious decisions about the things we buy which promote more to be manufactured. We need to evaluate every aspect of our lifestyle to be a better partner with the environment around us.

This is not a new concept. This is exactly what is spoken of in political circles concerning government and big business. The people of power know that change must take place, but their wallet would suffer which would make it far too painful. One example is transportation. The technology is here to run automobiles on solar energy without the use of fossil fuels. But Big Oil would take a devastating financial hit if every car owner switched out their vehicle. Money keeps political change from happening. As long as you and I are “forced” to purchase vehicles that rely on fossil fuel, Big Oil can still make billions of dollars each year. You and I are already taking steps to stand up and say, “No more.” Thousands of people across the world have gone to riding bikes to and from work. A small change in one daily life that affects the environment in a positive way.

Our everyday decisions affect more than just our immediate environment. Our decisions affect the world. We must be the catalyst of change for a better, healthier and cleaner future. We must use the power that each of us has to bring about shifts of change in the world. Each of us in our own right, are great leaders and facilitators of change. We cannot expect world leaders and Big Business to alter their course unless we give them no other alternative. As long as we keep doing business as usual, so will they. As long as we create a demand for products and services that are detrimental to the environment, they will continue to produce. But if we say, “No more!” and change our direction to more environmentally friendly options, what choice will they have but to change.

You are a great leader. You are right up there with Martin Luther King, John F. Kennedy, Ghandi and Mother Theresa. These are people that in their lifetimes brought change. Change in attitudes and perceptions. Change that affected more than just their immediate environment. Change that changed the world. Martin Luther King said, “I have a dream…” and the world changed. I say, “I have a Voice”. You have a voice.

Let the resolution for 2010 and the coming decade be that this is the time that you become the leader you are and create change for a better world.

Love deeper. Smile more. Know your neighbor. Be responsible for the environment. Sit against a tree. Eat better. Be kind. Be strong. Make wise purchasing decisions. Collectively we can do what the world leaders cannot do in a thousand Copenhagen meetings, create a positive change to our environment.

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