On Change!

‘CHANGE’ has become the punctuation mark of every political debate in the world today. It quite often stokes the disquiet deep-within us into passionate flames of youthful idealism, manifesting into popular movements questioning the status-quo. Fundamental to this discussion about change is the question; why do we seek Change?

I have developed an understanding that humans intuitively look for balance and equilibrium in the world. This innate desire for equilibrium offsets an urge to seek balance out of the chaos in our daily lives and the world around us. We may want change a daily habit or oust a dictator, it all stems from deep within us.

The question of what to change simply flows down from our understanding of the why. What is intriguing is the study of How?.

The change as we see it unfolding today is revolutionary in nature; we are seeking an instant turn-around to all that plagues humanity. Be it the Arab spring or President Obama’s election campaign the theme has always been about Change that will happen at the very next moment. Such an approach often short circuits the entire process of real change which is inherently evolutionary in nature. Obama’s election campaign was marked with a powerful slogan of “Change We Can Believe In”, the semantics inspired an entire nation to rise up and stand behind a man who believed he could change the world in a matter of time that is no more than a jiffy in the history of evolution; it heightened hopes that ultimately lead to frustration. Expecting Change like this is like expecting a Polar Bear to live in a desert. No, it will not because it is not in its nature.

To make real change happen we have to tend to the roots, water and nurture them. One day, we shall see them pushing up the Earth for change that is lasting and meaningful. And by evolution I mean the daily act of making amends in our own character and beliefs.

It may sound like a purist’s dream or a pragmatic’s nightmare but it is evolution that will bring about change.