Change your conception of yourself and you will automatically change the world in which you live. Do not try to change people; they are only messengers telling you who you are. Revalue yourself and they will confirm the change.
Neville Goddard
I learnt following story once and had to think of it when I read that quote:
A person wanted to change the world. They tried, but didn’t succeed. Then they tried to change their country, and still no luck. So next, they tried to change their city and failed. They didn’t give up and tried to change at least their community, but weren’t successful. They didn’t lose any hope and worked on changing their family, but failed at that as well. Finally the only one left to change was themselves and they did that, and realised that in order to change your surroundings and the world, you first have to change yourself.
While the quote is talking more about a different approach, the story speaks more to me. The quote seems to tell me that it’s all abouty attitude and if that changed, my surroundings change.
There might be truth in that. If I smile and and have a friendly face, people who are in contact with me, are more likely to also smile and be friendly. It might even improve their day. But I have always doubted that it’s that easy.
People say that everything is just a question of attitude. I find it hard to live by. Changing my attitude doesn’t necessary change anything else for me. Changing my attitude doesn’t change that Michael lives in the UK. And changing my attutude doesn’t change that stupid Covid-19 is still around.
Where I am on the same page as the quote is that you can’t change people. And that goes well with the story.
The only person one can change is oneself. But once you’ve changed, you might inspire others to change.
The last part I find troubling. I don’t think it’s right to look at other peole for confirmation of oneself. And while the reaction people have towards you, might mirror your true self, there are always people who don’t wish you well. I find it important to not read too much into what others might think about you.
Don’t change yourself to be liked by others. Change yourself, because you want that and the outcome will be much more satisfying and will last.
Check other thoughts on change:
Wh have similar thoughts on the quote and you too, agree and disgree with the bits I did too! <3 I think you are right too… We can only be us x
Unfortunately, we can only change ourselves. And that’s not always the case.