Change the World

I’m still thinking about the World Without Genocide event I attended Monday night.  The program ended with a song that I had never heard before, “Today I’m Gonna Try and Change the World” by Johnny Reid.[1]  It was performed very well by local talent Jane Newman. 

I think it’s fair to say that I appreciate a good song with a good message.  This tune has both. 

I'm gonna say hello to my neighbor
Greet him with a smile
Shake the hand of a stranger
Sit and talk for a while
Tell someone I love them
From the bottom of my heart
Today I'm gonna try and change the world

The song reminds me that I don’t have to do great things to change the world.  Or as Mother Teresa would say, we must do small things with great love. 

Gonna make sure my children
Know there's a right and wrong
I'll never turn my back
On those of us who need someone
I'm gonna try to see myself
Through another's eyes
Today I'm gonna try and change the world.

I’m reminded of the story of the man who set out to change the world.  When he couldn’t, he decided to change his country.  When that didn’t work so well, he set his sights on changing his state.  As you guessed, that he didn’t have an effect on the state, either, so he decided to change his community.  Same end.  Surely he could change his family!  But, no, that didn’t work either.

So, he decided to change himself, which had a positive impact on his family, and made his community a better place, which helped improve his state and nation.

If only he had decided to make himself better in the beginning….

Today I'm gonna try and change the world
Not for me, but for those I'll leave behind
I've made my resolution
Change it one day at time
Today I'm gonna try and change the world

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[1] For the complete lyrics, click here.  To hear it performed by Johnny Reid, click here.