Changing the World

When I was a young man,
I wanted to change the world.
I found it was difficult to change the world,
so I tried to change my nation.
When I found I couldn't change the nation,
I began to focus on my town.
I couldn't change the town
and as an older man,
I tried to change my family.
Now, as an old man,
I realize the only thing I can change is myself,
and suddenly
I realize that if long ago I had changed myself,
I could have made an impact on my family.
My family and I could have
made an impact on our town.
Their impact could have changed the nation
and I could indeed have changed the world.

(UNKNOWN MONK 1100AD)

 

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