Be the Change You Want to See: Creating Connection and Joy

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” These words, often attributed to Mahatma Gandhi, are simple yet profound. They call us to not just hope for a better world but to actively embody the values and behaviors we want to see in others. However, living out this principle can feel daunting, especially in a world where hurt and disconnection often dominate.

I’ve been reflecting on this lately as I observe my community. I see the ways we’re hurting. People pass by each other without acknowledgment. Eyes are downcast, voices silent. Kindness feels scarce, and consideration seems to have taken a backseat to frustration and self-preservation. This sense of disconnection and negativity weighs heavy on my heart.

But I’ve decided that I will not let that weight keep me from trying. I want to be the change I wish to see. I want to intentionally greet people, show concern, seek out community, and make meaningful connections. By doing so, I hope to shift the energy around me—to transform the negativity I feel into something positive.

1. The Power of Intentional Action

It starts small. A smile. A greeting. A moment of genuine curiosity about someone’s day. These actions may seem insignificant, but they have the power to ripple outward. When we make the effort to acknowledge someone, we affirm their humanity. We say, “You matter. I see you.”

I’ve started intentionally greeting people I encounter—neighbors, strangers, coworkers, even the cashier at the grocery store. At first, it felt awkward. What if they don’t respond? What if they think I’m being too much? But then I realized that the outcome doesn’t matter as much as the act itself. Every greeting, every smile, is a seed planted. Some seeds may not take root, but others might grow into something beautiful.

2. Shifting Negative Energy

Negativity can be contagious. When we absorb and reflect the anger, sadness, or frustration around us, it can perpetuate a cycle of disconnection and despair. But positivity is contagious too. What if we made joy, happiness, and grace the things we spread instead?

When I feel the weight of negative energy—whether it’s frustration from a difficult day or sadness over the state of the world—I try to channel it into something positive. Instead of letting it fester, I choose to act. I choose to greet someone, to ask how they’re doing, to offer a kind word. It’s not about ignoring the hurt or pretending things are perfect; it’s about choosing to respond to that hurt in a way that uplifts rather than drags down.

3. Building Community Through Connection

Humans are wired for connection. When we take the time to foster relationships and show genuine care, we create a sense of belonging that strengthens communities. By being intentional about connecting with others, we can rebuild the threads of community that feel so frayed.

I’ve started seeking out small ways to connect—joining local events, checking in on friends, offering mentorship to younger members of my community. These actions remind me that even when the world feels overwhelming, I can still make a difference in my corner of it.

4. A Personal Story: Understanding My Father

As a child, I never understood the distance my father had from me. He wasn’t vulnerable or openly warm. He was a consistent provider and a good father, but I didn’t really get to know him. It wasn’t until I got older and went back to learn my father’s story that I began to understand him.

Through hearing his experiences, I developed empathy for him. I saw the reasons behind his guarded demeanor and his occasional bursts of anger. I saw not just my father, but the man he had become, shaped by his own pain. I saw the little boy who was hurt and the man who never fully healed. This understanding lifted the weight of his anger from my shoulders. It no longer carried the same heaviness because I could see him as a whole person—flawed but trying. That lesson taught me the power of connection and the importance of seeing people beyond their actions, to the stories that shaped them.

5. Letting Positivity Be Contagious

Imagine a world where joy, appreciation, and grace spread as easily as frustration or anger. What if we made kindness so pervasive that it became the norm rather than the exception? This is the vision that drives me. I want to make positivity contagious by modeling it in my own actions.

It starts with small things:

• Offering mentorship to someone who needs guidance.

• Expressing gratitude for the people who make a difference in my life.

• Showing grace when others fall short, understanding that we’re all human.

• Celebrating moments of joy, no matter how small, and inviting others to share in them.

  
  

6. A Call to Action

None of us can change the world overnight, but we can each do our part to make it better. I’m challenging myself to lead with kindness, to spread connection and joy, and to show grace—not just for others, but for myself too. I invite you to join me. Let’s not let anger, sadness, or frustration be what we pass on to others. Instead, let’s spread joy, happiness, community, mentorship, and grace. Let’s make these the things that become contagious.

Final Thoughts

Being the change you want to see is not easy. It requires intention, vulnerability, and resilience. But it is worth it. Each small act of kindness, each connection made, each moment of positivity—these are the building blocks of a better world.

Reflection Question: What is one small action you can take today to spread joy and connection in your community?