The world is hurting. The streets are angry. Turmoil and injustice are everywhere. Whatever your politics or beliefs, it is obvious that change is needed. The system is broken. When we stop to consider the degree of dedication it takes to create change in our individual lives, we begin to have a sense of what we’re up against as a society. Momentum can be hard to gain. Which direction is the right one? Whom can I trust? What should I do?
At this critical time, we need to turn inward. We cannot depend on our government to solve these problems. We need to take matters into our own hands and learn to embody our lives—to come into our own roles as leaders, innovators, and creative problem solvers. Sure, maybe you don’t see yourself as a leader. I’m just here, trying to live my life… Maybe you lost your job or your direction. But leadership has less to do with position than it does to attitude and intention. Leadership doesn’t mean huge crowds and megaphones or being someone’s boss. It means living your life with intention, tuned to your life’s purpose. It means, as Ghandi’s popular saying goes, Being the change you wish to see. When you do that, you intrinsically lead others by your example.
When we step into our lives as leaders, we ensure that we are moving with authenticity. We learn to live with our souls forward. It means we are constantly checking our internal compasses and assessing how a decision or direction relates to our core values. We live our life’s purpose fully, with love and kindness. This is how change should be made: the microcosm leading the macro; living in peace with ourselves before demanding it of our fellow citizens.
The primary way to begin on this path is by coming back to our bodies—the physical space we occupy on this earth. Our bodies are the filters through which we experience this life. They hold all of the information we need to form our opinions, desires, and decisions. When we are in tune with ourselves physically, we better understand ourselves in relation to the outside world. When we truly occupy our bodies, we can plug into our power, block out that negative charge in the air, create clear boundaries, and focus on the good work of living.
