The best of times, the worst of times...

Value your voice.

I think it's fair to generalize that revolutions always start from "the ground" up. Often the change isn't completely ratified until "the top" takes action, but then this often doesn't occur until the undeniable majority support the change vocally. 

"We must remember that one determined person can make a significant difference, and that a small group of determined people can change the course of history. ~ Sonia Johnson

This has been proved true many times in history. Not surprisingly, these are the words of a vocal supporter of equal rights across sex, race and social standing. 

Someone who is in a position of power doesn't need to be reminded of their power, but someone who sees themselves as having no power does. 

I believe this is where the "one determined person" comes in. That person is the flame that lights the darkness that people think they have no power to change.

Better to light a candle than curse the darkness. ~ Chinese Proverb

This saying can be interpreted a lot of ways, but I think an important perspective on it is this; better to focus on what small solutions you can instigate than waste energy complaining about what you say you can't change.

Don't get me wrong, there are things in this world that can't be changed, and I believe accepting this is a powerful thing in itself, freeing you mind to focus on what can be changed, but consider very careful what you believe can or can't be changed. I believe for most people more can be changed in their world, by way of their own efforts, than they think they can change - and maybe this is easier as it saves from feeling guilty for not acting. 

The problem is that unless the people not in positions of power really value their voice and express to the "powers that be" what they want to see change then nothing will change. Unfortunately, the average person is so busy trying to get through life that there is no time left to actively express their "voice". 

This is mirrored in what we are seeing in the "Occupy" movement. I heard today that 6.6 million jobs will need to be created in the USA to get employment back to where it was before the financial crisis. So now people are not only valuing their voice but they have time to actually express their views in a very visible, tangible manner. I find it ironic really, because if the dominant corporate culture of the world was more focused on keeping their "little" people employed than making money they may have been able to not only avoid the crisis, and the prevailing unemployment, but also all these cries to reign in corporate greed.

But to get back to my specific point here, I believe every person, on a small (family/office) and large (government) scale, should value their voice and take the time not only to speak their mind but to really think about what they want to say and why. The worst sort of revolution is one where people follow without thinking. To speak metaphorically, a flock of frantic sheep can trample a man but I don't know that this will fuel change that is in the benefit of the people. 

I would rather we thought of ourselves as flies or bees. (We are the "little insects" of the world after all - and it should be noted that some of the deadliest creatures in the world are insects.) One buzzing insect is going to annoy a person, but I guarantee that a whole swarm of insects will make them move. 


And this leads me to one other observation with the "Occupy" movement. I'm not sure that the swarm is focused enough on one "person", and lots of buzzing in the community will get attention but may not cause an important individual to "move". So I believe a more focused approach is required. 

All the supporters for this "Occupy" movement (and I include myself in this) need to find more specific common ground and target their buzz on something and someone very specific. That target was wall street but I believe the movement, although growing in support, isn't yet growing in power as it could because the message is unclear. This can't be treated complacently either in my opinion. This continuous annoying buzz needs to be focused enough to inspire someone of power to make a move or the annoyance will get much and moves will start to be taken to wipe the movement out, as wrong as that is.


Maybe as the movement continues the buzzing will find a very specific target that can be encouraged to "move" and instigate real and lasting revolution in our society. 

Going back to my point though, don't think that you have no power to create change. Not only is there more power the bigger the "sum of the some" but also the "some" need people to stand up and lead; people who value their voice and their community and, to speak globally, the rights of their whole planet and it's inhabitants. The fact is that the power of some always comes down to the power of one - the leadership of one (or some) individual(s) that inspires everyone to embrace there that each one of us have. 

Leaders are made, they are not born. They are made by hard effort, which is the price which all of us must pay to achieve any goal that is worthwhile. ~ Vince Lombardi 

Being a leader, valuing our voice, is not easy. If only we could ask people like Martin Luther King how hard it was - although certainly the price he paid in the end was as "hard" as they come. Anything good is worth fighting for, and it's unfortunate but too often in this world  we really must fight for it. 

No matter what challenges have to be overcome I hope we all look to the leader, the voice, inside us at this crucial time in the world's history. 

It is the best of times. It is the worst of times...