Can 'Ordinary' People Effect Change and Make a Better World? The Power of ONE

Article Title: Can 'Ordinary' People Effect Change and Make a Better World? The Power of ONE
Author Name: Craig Lock
Category (key words): "Inspiration, Spiritual, Words of Upliftment and Inspiration, "The Power of One", Empowerment
Web Sites: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/craiglock (ebooks) www.creativekiwis.com/index.php/books/74-craigs-books + www.lulu.com/craiglock
The submitter's blog (with extracts from his various writings: articles, books and new manuscripts) is at http://en.search.wordpress.com/?q=%22craig+lock%22 and http://craiglock.wordpress.com
Other Articles are available at:
http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/15565 and http://www.ideamarketers.com/library/profile.cfm?writerid=981
(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, spiritual, 'spiritual writings' (how 'airey-fairey'), words of inspiration and money management, how boring now, craig)

Publishing Guidelines:

These writings (as with all my articles) may be freely published, electronically or in print.

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THE POWER OF ONE: THE POWER OF PEOPLE TO EFFECT CHANGE:

"I'm only one but I am one. I can't do everything but I can do something and what I can do I ought to do and that by the grace of God I will do."
- Brett Blair

Most 'ordinary/normal' (what's that?) people are decent, yet somewhat quite apathetic individuals, concerned only with the issues and directly affect them, living their own little lives of 'quiet desperation' amidst job and financial pressures. Still we somehow want to make a difference in the world (and want our lives to count for something), but we don't know WHAT to do and HOW to do it. Because I believe, we usually underestimate our ability to make any difference and effect change for the better... in our own countries and in the world. And that is why so many people do not even exercise the greatest privilege they possess: the privilege of the right to vote. World history rests on the myriad of seemingly insignificant decisions (or lack of decision) of millions of "the little people" throughout the world. Would world history have changed if more people had voted in the US elections of 2000? Would Iraq, the Middle East in general and the world now perhaps be a far safer and better`place?

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Here's something to think about...

ONE VOTE made Oliver Cromwell Lord Protector of the Commonwealth and gave him control of England. (1645)

ONE VOTE caused Charles I to be executed. (1649)

ONE VOTE kept Aaron Burr--later charged with treason--from becoming President. (1800)

ONE VOTE elected Marcus Morton governor of Massachusetts. (1839)

ONE VOTE made Texas part of the United States. (1845)

ONE VOTE saved President Andrew Johnson from impeachment. (1868)

ONE VOTE changed France from a monarchy to a republic. (1875)

ONE VOTE admitted California, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho into the Union. (1850, 1850, 1889, 1890)

ONE VOTE elected Rutherford B. Hayes to the Presidency, and the man in the Electoral College who cast that vote was an Indiana Representative also elected by ONE VOTE. (1876)

ONE VOTE made Adolf Hitler head of the Nazi Party. (1923)

ONE VOTE maintained the Selective Service System only 12 weeks before Pearl Harbor. (1941)

ONE VOTE per precinct would have elected Richard Nixon, rather than John Kennedy, President. (1960)

from John Mark Ministries http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/9870.htm

Did YOU vote ... and for whom?
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I believe to effect change, we the ordinary people of the world, have to raise the bar of what we will and will not tolerate - by our leaders and authorities. At a local level,
a national level and at international level, as common citizens of planet earth with a shared spirit of humanity (hopefully noble and generous).
We need ACCOUNTABILITY and RESPONSIBILITY...and it all starts at a personal level - in our minds with what we will and not accept as our highest standards in our OWN HEARTS. Things change only when a mass of people, join together to take action in a united initiave for the common good, a worthy cause to make for a better world. In so doing in "democratic societies" they can put heavy pressure on their leaders, the decision makers to take effective and right actions. We need a shift in MINDSET of world leaders - a new way of looking at the immense problems of the world.

PASSION + PURPOSE = POWER (PEOPLE-POWER)

I think it was Albert Einstein who said something like:
"The greatest problems of this world can only be solved with a different level of thinking to that which created them. Jesus Christ's message about drawing upon a Higher Level of Consciousness (or thought energy) was the answer to everything.... and those wise words regarding the human condition were uttered 2000 years ago - timeless and eternal truths.

THINK DIFFERENTLY...
THINK BIGGER.
(Nothing is impossible with God!)

Edwin Hubbel Chapin once said, "Every action of our lives touches on some chord that will vibrate in eternity." That is the definition of a legacy.

To build a better world, just do what you CAN
and build a better you (without taking yourself and life too seriously).

Have great FUN as you travel along the journey of life

Craig Lock ("Information and Inspiration Distributer, Incorrigible Encourager and People-builder")

"Never doubt the power of an idea, an idea, a cause that's time has come."

"Never underestimate the power of a committed group of passionate individuals, who are determined to make a difference in the world." (Or words to that effect).
- sociologist Margaret Mead

"Never underestimate what one person can do."
- Robert Kennedy

"In our own little ways in our individual lives we can touch others and in so doing illuminate the hearts and minds of humanity. There is neither East nor West, Christian, Buddhist, Moslem, Hindu or Jew...but just a God-filled humanity.

"Let us build bridges rather than barriers, openness rather than walls. Rather than borders, let us look at distant horizons together...in the common spirit of the value and dignity of a shared personhood as citizens of planet earth. We here in far-off New Zealand share the common bond of humanity: the pain, the sadness, suffering and joy inherant in the human condition, especially in Japan, but`no matter where in the world you may live."
- craig

"One SONG can spark a moment
One FLOWER can wake the dream
One TREE can start a forest
One BIRD can herald spring
One SMILE begins a friendship
One HANDCLASP lifts a soul
One STAR can guide a ship at sea
One WORD can frame the goal
One VOTE can change a nation
One SUNBEAM lights a room
One CANDLE wipes out darkness
One LAUGH will conquer gloom
One STEP must start each journey
One WORD must start a prayer
One HOPE will raise our spirits
One TOUCH can show you care
One VOICE can speak with wisdom
One HEART can know what is true
One LIFE can make a difference
You see, it is up to YOU."
- Author Unknown

"I'm only one but I am one. I can't do everything but I can do something and what I can do I ought to do and that by the grace of God I will do."
- Brett Blair, Sermon Illustrations, 1999

"Together, one mind, one soul at a time, let's encourage, impact, uplift and perhaps even inspire the world."

THESE THOUGHTS MAY BE FREELY PUBLISHED

"Few (of us) will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events. It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man (or woman) stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, (she or) he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance."
— the powerful and greatly inspiring words of Robert F. Kennedy (with my little insertions in brackets)

However,
"We can all be great, because we can all serve."