Gandhi had it right: be the change you wish to see in the world. But, how do I/you do that? Another Gandhi quote sums up the path of transformation nicely: “my life is my message.” When each of us truly shares our message, lives with soul purpose, then we are the catalyst for powerful change.
Sometimes I want this change to happen overnight. Maybe you are just as impatient as me. Although radical, quick change is possible, that seldom happens. Change begins with a seed of awareness that is nurtured with each resolute drop of determination. Transformation is built upon the little things — the seeds of hope and acts of determination.
This time of year mimics the nurturing seeds of change. We are at the beginning of a growing season. Now is the time to plant seeds and then care for the fragility of life. The stance toward the first sprouts of change must be the same. Like those first fragile plants of spring, we don’t look at change poking through the soil of our soul and say, “phew, that was hard work, but I did it.” No, we know that the initial evidence of our movement into change is only the beginning.
We recognize that in order for change to “take,” it needs a firm foundation. We lay a foundation with our determination and joy. We celebrate those fragile sprouts of change. In this rejoicing, the roots of change grow deep into the soil of our being.
Not everything we sow brings about transformation of our true self. I have found that sometimes I sow seeds of change that don’t quite sync with who I am. That change just doesn’t reflect my soul purpose. Change begins with seeds of awareness. Course corrections happen when we recognize what is growing change and weeds of stagnation are sprouting in our garden.
This awareness is cultivated through reflection, introspection, and integration — what I call RI2. This three stop process helps us deepen our understanding of our message and how it is an agent for change in our self and the world.
We reflect upon what is happening. Introspect what we gleaned from our thoughts, words, and deeds. We come up with a plan to pull weeds from our garden and grow our change. That final step is integration. RI2 is about saying to those weeds, “This isn’t me. This isn’t the way that I want to live. I am willing to uproot what isn’t me so that who I am can fully grow.”
So, how do you do this? Let’s dig into RI2:
- Reflection: this heart based activity empowers you to do a personal assessment. I like to call it fact finding gleaned from your thoughts and emotions. It is noticing without judgment or drawing conclusions.
- Introspection: this activity connects what you have gathered in your heart with your head. During this time, you objectively assess the information that you gathered. You identify patterns. Name how what is happening that is in line with your soul purpose and identity what doesn’t sync with you. During this time, you ask yourself, what can I do differently? You make a plan to get back on the track of transformation.
- Integration: this activity is the doing phase. You take what you’ve learned and integrate it into your life. It gets you back on track.
Note that RI2 is an ongoing practice. (Learn more about it in Engaging Compassion Through Intent and Action.) You may find that you need to tweak what you discovered and integrate what is more in sync with your. Maybe you plant a new seed or remove a stem that you thought would bring change.
RI2 gives you the information, the knowledge, the wisdom to choose what change you want to grow into your soul and share it with the world.
How will your message give birth to the change you wish to see in the world?
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