Change begins with me.

 Change is not easy. It comes slowly, with risks, failures, and criticism. And, it is often the fear of those that stops one from taking a step toward change. That first step is the hardest and scariest part of the process because it makes one vulnerable. But, it also opens doors for freedom and great opportunities. The decision to bring change is a tough one and staying on that path by actually putting in the effort is equally tough and important but as they say, nothing good ever comes easy.

At some point of time in my life, I came across a quote that said, “Everything you want is right outside your comfort zone”, and looking back at everything that I have achieved or that people around me have achieved, I realize how true that quote is. It’s only when we get out of our ordinary routine and do things differently that we achieve something extraordinary. That is what change is - stepping out of the ordinary.

Change is never comfortable; it is not supposed to be. If it was, everybody would do it. But, as uncomfortable as it is, it is also necessary. When we dream of changing the world, we often forget that in order to change the billions out there, we must first change ourselves. That is where it’s supposed to start. We must believe in ourselves. The world may or may not follow but in our hearts, we know we took the leap and made the journey, and reached where we planned to.  As Miley Cyrus said, it’s the climb that matters.

Change is natural. To be afraid of change is also natural. But what makes us human is doing it anyway. We are members of the human race, and rather than being defined by our ability to change the world, we are defined by the choices that we make for ourselves and what we do to become better human beings because that is where the change really starts.