“Become the change you wish to see in the world.” Mahatma Gandhi
Today (Oct. 2, 2015) we celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Blue Hill Public Library with a 1940-themed dance party, complete with live jazz band, swing dance lessons, costumes, photo booth, and soda fountain. Today was also another anniversary. October 2 is the birthday of one of my heroes, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948). A soft-spoken lawyer and barrister from Porbunder in Gujarat, India, this Libra-born man exemplified justice and fairness through his life-long determination and leadership to unify Indians and fight discrimination and oppression, which helped bring about India’s liberation from British colonial rule in 1947. He became known as “The Father of the Nation.” Become the change, indeed. So, while this beautiful community library was being planned and built in Blue Hill, Maine, on the other side of the world the foundation for revolution was laid.
“Become (or be) the change” means to me, “Be your higher self.” Because I have this quote bumperstickered to my car, I often remind myself to be my Higher Self while driving. Cuz when I pass those slow cars, there is a good chance they are gonna see that sticker! There is a certain discipline in becoming and being the change you want to see in the world, and Mahatma Gandhi was an excellent model of discipline. A simple spiritual man often wearing nothing but a white cloth, Gandhiji was known to go on fasts (hunger strikes) during the many times he was jailed in order to bring attention to issues of injustice or to bring about peaceful resolutions. A practitioner of civil disobedience, Gandhi was the Being of Light who inspired Martin Luther King, Jr.’s non violent protests in America in the 1960’s. He was a man who walked his talk. How difficult that is to do. Thus, we choose discipline. Practice. Like any skill or endeavor or dream, spiritual or otherwise, discipline and practice are key.
Another Gandhi quote I like is, “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” In our daily practice, let’s commit to kindness and compassion. Turn off the horror of the mainstream news and tune into your own energy stream of love, joy, kindness, and healing.
“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” MKG
