I bet you want to change the world, or you’ve at least thought about it once.

War.

Famine.

Injustice.

Child Abuse.

Rape.

Murder.

Horrible things that our world can definitely do without. (You get it.)

The list of atrocities in this world can go on and on.

It’s easy to talk a big talk about wanting to “do good” or even change the world, but are you hearing authenticity in your intentions or are the pleas merely a cry for help?

Both? I think so. Most people who want improve what’s going on in the world also have a desire to see change within him or herself as well.

Gandhi said, “Be The Change You Want To See In The World.”

So while people are huffing and puffing about everything that needs to be “fixed,” what would happen if they actually got off their rump and did a little self-work first?

If you don’t like violence, don’t be a vessel for violence even in your words.

If it makes you as pissed off as it makes me to hear about starving children anywhere in the world, be mindful and thankful of what you consume and how you give back.

If you’re sick and tired of the corruptness in our government policies, don’t act like a scandalous scoundrel yourself.

Here’s the deal: if you want to make a proactive change in the world, you need to get rid of your own B.S. first. Take initiative, align yourself with your belief systems and you’ll start to see the change you desire.

When I think back on the earlier part of my professional career, I realize I was the biggest hypocrite and didn’t even know it. I had chosen a career but for all the wrong reasons. I thought I needed to prove my worth to family and to myself.

I thought that my value was linked to what I “achieved” in life. 

I thought achievement meant making a lot of money and earning a prestigious title. A title that would make ears perk up and my parent’s friends say, “Oh, you must be so proud!” I thought I needed a title or label in order to feel worthy or valued.

So, cool. I got a law degree. I was a lawyer.  I worked for a law firm—but I hated my job. There was no soul in it.

I had shoved myself in a big fat lie in order to be this person I thought I needed to be. I felt like I was hit on the top of my head when I later discovered my gift was actually teaching others how to live in their truth. To live their dreams. Go figure, right?

Here I was, thinking I had my sh*t together, only discover that I wasn’t whole, I wasn’t happy and I wasn’t living in my truth. This was a reality slap in my face.

I knew I needed to change the world.

I needed to teach others how to get out of their big, fat, miserable lies, ‘cause I was in one. And my misery was pioneering my path. Once I realized this, I could smile and say thank you. Thank you for allowing me to see what was already within in me.

Walking away from that lie was probably my greatest blessing in life although it may not have seemed so at the time!

Many people, like me, can easily create their own misery and unhappiness without realizing it.

But once I woke up, I decided—not me. No more. No way.

If I was going to become a vehicle for change in the world I had to walk the talk and put my money where my mouth was. Life is there for enjoyment. And I was going to make the best possible choices to foster a happy, healthy existence.

Plus, bonus—I was going to be able to share my story in order to inspire others to do the same.

Are you ready to start practicing wholeness and make change a vehicle in your life?

I have just shared how I chose to step up and make changes in my life. What are you still doing that seems hypocritical in your life? Do you want to change the world or something in yourself as well? Please leave your comments below.

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Ed: Catherine Monkman