4 Ways You Can Help Change the World!

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Blue Bitterfly with 4 Wings of Social Justice
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As you know, our Fierce Kindness tagline is Change the World. Start with You!

Some people are natural change makers. They lead, often sacrifice and sometimes even give up their lives (literally) for a cause. These people are driven, amazing and incredible. I’m thinking Mother Teresa, Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Sojourner Truth, Malala Yousafzai and many, many more.

But while I admire these people, our world would be nothing without the social worker who works tirelessly for the children in their care or the environmentalist who gives up everything to save a park or protest the dumping of toxic waste. And what about those who travel to less industrialised countries to build schools, safe water systems or work with the Red Cross to help refugees or a people suffering from famine?

Take me straight to Butterfly Model (4 Ways we Can Change the World) >>

I want to be part of the change.

But for a long while I found fault with myself for not doing more. For not giving everything up and making that huge difference that is needed.

And then, as I healed myself. As I worked to reduce my anxiety, leave my inner critic behind I discovered Fierce Kindness. And realised, this could be my contribution.

The numbers of people today suffering from anxiety and depression have skyrocketed. As we see our world’s climate changing, that our economic systems don’t work and even buying a house is out of reach for many. As abuses of power, sexism, racism and all forms of prejudice and injustice—built into our systems—are exposed, people feel powerless. We allow ourselves to be distracted and do nothing, say nothing. Our young people especially feel helpless and many have already given up. What’s the point? Nothing I do will make any difference…

Margaret Mead Quote

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Well, I believe nothing could be more wrong.

EACH and every one of us can make a difference. However small. However small we start. The key is to Contribute and do something that’s meaningful for you.

Because if everyone did something, how could this not add up?

Contributing is key to Fierce Kindness.

I have come to believe that we can’t be fully, truly happy unless and until we contribute something to our world.

Contributing—and crucially understanding what and how we contribute—gives our life meaning. And when our life has meaning we are happier and more resilient. It’s a virtuous circle.

And that’s why Contribute is one of the 4Cs of the Fierce Kindness philosophy.

What Are  You Already Doing?

Now I am sure you’re already doing something to make the world better. You were drawn to Fierce Kindness for a reason… I see a person who is courageous enough to do difficult things, and compassionate enough to recognize that we need kindness to combat what is wrong in our world.

Here are some questions for you to ponder:

  • What are you already doing to make the world a better place? Think big, small and everything in between.
    • Some examples: you make the effort to interact with service workers as equals, you use reusable shopping bags, you buy local, eat less meat or buy less stuff than you used to. Perhaps you write to your MP, or are raising thoughtful children. And maybe you help others in your job or your free time. Or your campaign or donate to charitable causes? Or perhaps you’re working to be kinder to yourself—and others.
  • What bothers you? What do you see around you that you believe needs to be changed?
  • What is—or could be—your role in making our world a better place?
  • What’s ONE thing you could do?
  • What is the smallest thing you could do?
  • When will you do it?

I believe humans are naturally kind and generous…

Sadly, modern life pulls us away from each other. Technology, competition for scarce resources like jobs and homes, the need to have more stuff and get it cheaper, endless distractions and busy, busy lives have led us to become atomised and individualistic. And worse when people get desperate. But it can be different.

I have always believed that deep down humans (as a species) are naturally kind and co-operative. It’s how and why we’ve evolved this far: because we team up, because we think big and because we care and want to make things better, easier and safer.

We can BE the change.

Each of us has a part to play in making this world a better place. It doesn’t matter if that role is big or small, just that you do something.

The 4 ‘Wings’ of Social Change

This all leads me the 4 “Wings” of Social Change which I discovered in an article in Yes Magazine (the Butterfly Model comes from Grassroots Economic Organizing).

There are 4 ‘wings’ to this butterfly: Resist, Reform, Build and Heal.

And I know some of you reading this are coaches. If so, like me, you are naturally the 4th wing of Heal. But let’s take a closer look:

  1. RESISTERS: people who protest, boycott, blockade, go on marches, take part in work stoppages, simple noncooperation and civil disobedience.
  2. REFORMERS: people who try to make change from within. These could be social workers, elected officials, policemen and women, journalists, schoolteachers, lawyers. It could mean lobbying, petitions, reparations, public education and speeches—or simply working where you are to change processes for the better.
  3. BUILDERS: people who build alternatives to our current institutions whether schools, regenerative farms, cooperatives, land trusts, social housing, transformative charities, lending and other societies for social change, medical clinics and even sanctuaries/healing spaces.
  4. HEALERS: these can be spiritual leaders and people who mediate conflict. It can also be counsellors and therapists, life coaches, massage therapists and wellness practitioners. Also singers, artists, storytellers and anyone who creates beauty. It need not be a role either, and could be anyone who engages in ritual/ceremony, vigils or simply prayer.

The idea is that if we’re going to change the world, we need people in each of those 4 areas. Each wing is needed, providing a vital component—just like a butterfly who needs all 4 wings to fly…

Wrap-upFierce Kindness Logo

Our world needs YOU! I wonder what role you will play?

If humanity does not opt for integrity we are through completely. It is absolutely touch and go. Each one of us could make the difference. R. Buckminster Fuller

So I’ll leave you with two questions:

  1. Which “wing” of the butterfly do you spend most of your time in? Are you a Resister, Reformer, Builder or Healer?
  2. What small protests, reforms, acts of beauty, healing or great things are you already building? And what more could you do?

If you liked this article about the power of contribution and ways we can make change, you may also like:

Image of Butterfly by manfredrichter via Pixabay

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2 Comments

  1. Lynda

    Hi Emma, thanks for this thoughtful and inspiring article. To making a difference individually and collectively!

    Reply
    • Emma-Louise Elsey

      Thank-you Lynda 🙂 So glad you liked it! Warmly, Emma-Louise

      Reply

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