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You!

posted on Tuesday, March 31, 2009 01:06 PM

Mahatma Ghandi (Indian political and spiritual leader, 1869 - 1948) once and now so famously stated that "you must be the change you want to see in the world". That is to say that change starts from within and ripples outwards like a pebble in a pond. Our pond being life on earth. Be love, spread love, and live in harmony with those around you is what I always like to say. It is impossible to be a perfect human being, though many would dispute that prophets such as Jesus, Mohammed and Buddha were just that, 'perfect human beings'. With so much bad things going on in the world, it is no longer a luxury to be ignorant to the suffering and needs of others. Ask yourself a question: Beyond food, clothing and shelther, how much more does a person really need?

Before moving to Japan I used to think that many if not most Japanese have no care for world problems (poverty, war and so on...), as well as social and environmental problems, and now that I have been living here for almost two years I still think roughly the same way. The Japanese themselves would be the first to admit that social and environmental awareness and activity in Japan is pretty low. Though, I would be the first to admit to and promote those that do. I won't brag about the things I do to help make change in the world because I don't need a 'well done' for that. It's my law of nature's duty as a world citizen to create a better planet for myself and those around me. However small in numbers compared to those in other parts of the world, i.e. the UK and the USA, there are amazing Japanese people and organisations doing amazing things both in Japan and across the globe.

I love the following quote from Daisaku Ikeda (Buddhist philosopher, writer/poet, peace builder and educator, 1928 - ), "A great revolution in just one single individual will help achieve a change in the destiny of a society and, further, will enable a change in the destiny of humankind". This quote can form one long and extended quote of Ghandi's easily. We all have the ability to change, evolve and be leaders of change no matter how big or small our influence in the world (as we still create vibrations in the energy of life).

Little by little, we can preserve the beauty of life for our future generations, so let's not waste a moment in our life time. Here are a few links to some Japanese organisations, NGOs and entrepreneurs (social, environmental and business) that are trying to be the change that we all want to see in our world.

ETIC

Social Ecoo (produced by SIJ)

Why Not 9

Peace Boat

NICCO

HOTTOKENAI

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