Pope, you might have a hand in shaping the next Papal Bull. If
you have the ear of a general, you might avert a war. If you
have the ear of an editor, you might get your name in print. If
you have the ear of the head waiter, you might get the best
table. And so on and so on. So whose ear have you got? What
influence do you have, and what change can you effect by
using that influence?
Often the only ear we have is our own. The only definite influ-
ence we have is over ourselves. The only thing we can really,
really change is exactly that—ourselves. Wonderful. What an
opportunity to do some good. What a chance to make a real
contribution. Begin with ourselves and let it spread outward.
This way we don’t have to waste time preaching to those who
won’t listen. We don’t have to waste effort or energy or
resources on things over which we have no control and no
certainty of any success. By changing ourselves, though, we
can be assured of a result.
DEDICATE YOURSELF
PERSONALLY TO THINGS
YOU CAN CHANGE, AREAS
WHERE YOU CAN MAKE A
DIFFERENCE.