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)
I really like this because it teaches us that no matter how bold our ambitions may be, we must start in our own backyards. It is the classic ripple effect. When we are living in harmony with our own lives it will naturally spill over to others. – Joseph Federico