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Be the change that you want to see in the world.
- Mahatma Gandhi

I could never really wrap my head around this one from Gandhi. I knew it was wise and true, but it always slipped into the abstract for me. Until recently…

I was in a car accident a few months ago. Major intersection. Pouring rain. A man, let’s call him William, ran a red light and t-boned my car. Thankfully, no one else was with me. I was shaken and stirred, but walked away with minor injuries. The car was scrap.

William later asked if he could visit me at my house and stopped by a few days after the accident. He had come to apologize. His sincerity and fragility touched me deeply. But even more moving for me was how my husband treated him. Scott invited him into our home with a full handshake and warm nod. He offered William a choice of teas and served it up in our best Chinese teapot. He asked William if he was alright. Scott kept it brief and sincere, clearly stood by my side, and then he gently ushered William on his way.

Later in the kitchen I said, “Babe, you’re somethin’ else. You were so kind… so… dignified. I was really proud to be your wife this afternoon.” And Scott, in his typically plain way said, “Well, babe, that’s the kind of world I want to live in.”

I guess that’s what Gandhi had in mind.
- Danielle

THIS WEEK: Ask yourself what kind of world you want to live in. Try to zero in on an issue that you feel slightly indignant or really righteous about. Like, I want to live in a world that takes care of its poor people. I want to live in a world free of road rage. I want to live in a world where people just tell the truth. And then, do something about it – this week. Find a way to help someone who is poor. Bless the guy who cuts you off in traffic. Just tell the truth.

Change only happens in the present tense.