Is it possible to change the world?

When I was 17 years old I started thinking about how one person could change the world. After 20 years of searching and engaging, I have become convinced that the answer is “us.” To be specific, the answer is “you and I” working together with “them.”

There are as many problems in the world as there are people, if not more. The question is, “How do we discover solutions?”

There are three very common elements in a solution to almost any problem: people, opportunities and resources.
• People – Human beings
• Opportunities – situations that can be influenced for positive change
• Resources – Tangibles like time, talent, funds, raw materials, manpower, etc that can be invested in creating a solution

In order to engage these elements in the creation of a solution each one must be understood, developed and connected.
• Understanding – research of context and capacity for positive change
• Development – empowering positive potential
• Connection – linking together relationships that produce positive change

Is it possible to change the world?
Yes.

I wholeheartedly believe that the answer is simple, but it would be naïve to assume that the process would be easy. The root cause of almost any problem can usually be traced back to the same common elements of a solution: people, opportunities and resources.

Ultimately we are talking about choices. The world we live in is the result of all of the decisions we have made collectively. Therefore, the most basic component of change is each person’s personal decisions. How will yours affect others?

Is it REALLY possible to change the world?
Yes.

There is a “nexus of opportunity” for our generation to make a significant impact on the most urgent issues of survival and sustainability. The world is constantly changing, now more than ever… The processes of globalization are reconfiguring how people relate at a local and a global level. The key to changing the world is found in tapping into the latent and unused positive potential in each person.

If you can change, the world can change…

Dustin Barrington

An urge to go to Wal-mart?!

I can't believe that it actually happened to me...

For some reason I felt like going to Wal-mart this morning. It was a HIGHLY suspicious occurrence, but I went anyway.

I got the things that were on the list and as I was checking out I heard someone crying. I followed my ears and found a young lady sitting on a bench near the Customer Service area who was experiencing a series of very unfortunate events.

I just sat down with her for a while. I asked if she was okay... if there was anything that I could do... then I just listened to the story of how her day had taken a turn for the worst...

She had lost her keys and she was late for work, but she couldn't get to work without her car keys, nor could she get to her other set of keys without transportation or breaking into her own house... It was a strange predicament and I really felt for her.

At the end of the story I was able to encourage her and together we talked through a plan.

I am totally sure that my trip to Wal-mart had nothing to do with the things on my list.

If we will listen, God will lead us into opportunities to make the world a better place... one life at a time. God is at work in many of the lives we encounter during our "daily routines" who would really be blessed by a kind word, a helping hand or just a little bit if hope.

Be a blessing!

China?!

No... Well, sort of.

We went to Goodwill today and purchased a very nice set of dishes for $30. After we got home I went on-line and discovered that we had purchased a full set of "Style House Platinum Ring" Fine China, made between 1940-1965, worth over $500!

Go Green!

We only have one car today because the starter on my Jeep has lost it's will to live. I had to drop Denise off at work early in the morning. It was raining and cold... Even so, on the way home I had to go through about a dozen intersections.

Every light was green! It may never happen again but I am as sure as ever that good things can happen.

I am alive!

Over the past few days the urgency of deadlines and work has been weighing heavily on me... At times it feels overwhelming.

This morning I tried to come up with an excuse not to go to a prayer meeting at CSU or to meet with a person for lunch so that I could use the time to "get more done."

What an enormous mistake either one of those would have been! Earnestly calling out to God with college ministry leaders who want to change the world and reflecting on the deepest mysteries of who God is and what God desires of us over at the "Spicy Pickle..." both experiences inspired me and convinced me even more that we are here for a reason and we are doing what God has called us to!

Reality didn't change, but my preception did... I'm alive!