You are the change. What will you choose?

The quote by Gandhi, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”, has been a favorite of mine for years. Time and time again I have experienced the profound shift that occurs within me and all around me when I chose to live these words. I see that when I stop being judgemental, people become more excepting. When I stop blaming others, I am met with compassion, openness and understanding. When I extend my hand to help, others do the same. When I open my heart, others are more likely to do the same.

Each of these experiences invited me to ponder Gandhi’s words more deeply. What emerged was understanding that in order to accept Gandhi’s invitation to “be the change” I must first be willing to accept that I am the change. I cannot be anything without first choosing. Being the change requires that I be 100% responsible for my experience. That can be difficult when I so often feel justified in blaming others and making excuses when things are not going my way or when I see wrong doing in the world. The truth is that I invite and draw to me all that I experience; both the things that I like and don’t like. Things that move me and things that keep me stuck. It can seem excruciating and at times impossible to accept responsibility for perpetuating things that I don’t like or want in my relationships and life. Yet, time and time again, I see that every moment, no matter how it may feel, look, or seem, is a choice. I choose how I relate to everything. The choice is always mine.

What will you choose?