Remember the song, “If I Ruled the World?” The writer figured things would go a lot better if he were in charge. Yet fantasizing about what we would do if we had unlimited power is a cop-out. What about the power we have? Consider these words on the tomb of an Anglican bishop in the crypts of Westminster Abbey. John Henry Widen I was young and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change. So I shortened my sights and decided to change only my country. But it, too, seemed immovable.
As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, but alas, they would have none of it. And now as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realize: If I had only changed myself, first, then by example I would have changed my family.
To live is to change, and to be perfect is to change often.
From their inspiration and encouragement, I
would have been Henry Newman able to better my country and—who knows —I
may even have changed the world. Never underestimate the power of a
single act. Even the smallest change can have effects more far-reaching
than we ever dreamed. The most effective change begins within.
