Louis J. Bookman
Mar. 25th, 2022 11:08 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
michaelboyFor nearly 25 years, I worked in downtown Pittsburgh. In the city, there were many folks trying to sell themselves or their ideals on various notions of religion, politics, sex, labor practice, etc. People were pitching something to change the world - but, at times, without any significant personal sacrifice or without the gentle demonstration of how their personal aspirations have indeed changed their own lives and consequently the lives around them. It often seemed to be simply an attack on the 'other side' rather than a persuasive depiction of a positive life path.
When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world. I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation. When I found I couldn't change the nation, I began to focus on my town. I couldn't change the town and as an older man, I tried to change my family. Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself, and suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family. My family and I could have made an impact on our town. Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world.
~ Unknown, 1100 A.D.
It seems that changing the world is more about how a person lives than how a person barks.
When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world. I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation. When I found I couldn't change the nation, I began to focus on my town. I couldn't change the town and as an older man, I tried to change my family. Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself, and suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family. My family and I could have made an impact on our town. Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world.
~ Unknown, 1100 A.D.
It seems that changing the world is more about how a person lives than how a person barks.
