In watching the Ken Burns documentary The Roosevelts: An Intimate History, I was reminded of a number of ideas that I’ve observed in the last couple of years in regards to social contribution and social change.
- You don’t have to be perfect to do great work that positively benefits others. We do not have to be flawless humans to affect needed change. Sometimes we just need to take the step in front of us that we believe in. Burns paints Theodore bullishness and Elenore’s busyness and involvement in social change as part a reflection of intrinsic values and part running from their inner demons. In simplistic terms, this is the concept of having an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other. When in doubt, move toward helping others.
- Standing up for what you believe and speaking your truth matters. Even if it only matters to your own sense of self-worth, that is enough. Building confidence is one’s contributions is a step-by-step process. This was especially evident in Elenore’s life. She needed to be needed, to act on her principles. At our transformational time in human history, all skills are needed at all levels. We need people who get others thinking about social change. We need people coming together in passionate innovation and creativity and influencing the advancement of those areas of interest. We need the dreamers and the doers. Not everyone is going to be a highly visible agent of social change. Yet, all roles are vital when they are expressions of one’s heart. I believe that merely holding the frequency of personal truth and belief in positive change has a beneficial affect on society and the world. More becomes possible when more is held AS being possible in collective consciousness.
- Healing personal wounds empowers your contribution to community and to collective consciousness. While personal wounds will absolutely NOT prevent you from fulfilling your life mission, imagine the potential of acting from healed energy? Then as Gandhi recommended, you are able to “be the change you wish to see in the world.” For many people, life wounds distract from clarity around life purpose and can result in holding back from expressing personal brilliance. From a healed sense of self, you are able to give fully of self, to be more fully present in an open and generous manner.
Melissa Wadsworth is the author of Collective Manifestation: Heart-Centered Blueprints for Creating Intentional Community, that is due to launch in October 2014. You can gain immediate access to the first chapter at www.collectivemanifestation.com