*It’s such a great joy to see the life in these kids as they holds hands looking into the future! For some of us older folk 🙂 I guess we’ve seen stuff that often makes us feel more depressed or disappointed and for some of us we want to change the world ….much energy is put into where we could start (rather than being stuck) or persevere.. I see myself as one want so play my part in this process… so the following quote really grabbed me today!
(thanks Latino Liz)*
I Wanted to To Change The World
By Unknown Monk, 1100 A.D.
When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world.
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.”
Yes, very relevant indeed to the conversation we had Friday night.
What a beautiful (and probing) quote. Thanks Sivin. Hope you liked the music!
Ryan – I read and heard different versions of this quote .. and what I liked about this one apart from the content is also how its attributed to this unknown monk. So “unknowns” are recognized! Cool …
BTW, I’m listening to the album now! Good stuff!