I often find the phrase “be the change you want to see in the world” intimidating, because the change I want to see in the world is huge, sweeping, overwhelming, and must be the result of millions of other people working to change complex systems of injustice that have been in place for years and years. But if I substitute the word “good” for “change,” the adage sounds suddenly manageable. I see good around me all the time, in the hearts and actions of other people. And I have a sense of what is good for people—for me, and for others. Being seen, listened to, acknowledged, encouraged, and valued
—these things are good.
I can do these things. I have done these things. For over twenty years, I was able to do these things as a teacher at colleges and universities. I was lucky; the teaching of writing provides so many natural opportunities for the nurturing and mentoring of young people. Places of learning provide community that can support these essential acts of goodness: to see, listen to, acknowledge, encourage, and value others. Being a teacher gives a person authority, so those acts carry enough weight to make a real difference in the lives of some students.
Now that I am working to be the good I want to see in the world outside the often wonderful community of higher education, the opportunities and effects of these acts of goodness are more difficult to see. I need to remind myself that what I am doing now is essentially the same as what I did then. So I write these posts to you, and to myself, and I have to say it, explicitly: in my writing, despite the apparent contradictions, I am still trying to see, listen to, acknowledge, encourage, and value you. I may not always succeed, and some words will reach some of you and not others. But I am trying. This is my goal. Even when I promote my own books, try to be funny, try to get people to buy things, share the words of others, admit to sadness or frustration, piss you off—this is all in service to my overall goal, to be the good I want to see in the world.
At the end of her well-known poem, “The Summer Day,” Mary Oliver asks, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” There are so many things I want to do: create, protect the environment, love animals, travel, grow things, appreciate beauty, laugh with friends, give to my loved ones, alleviate suffering, promote equality, experience peace… I believe these long-term goals start with the acts of goodness I list above, small things I can do that will, if I’m lucky, ripple through my life to make the larger things possible. 
It is vital for me to remember, however, and to remind myself as often as needed, that even if I don’t get to do everything I want to do with my “one wild and precious life,” making these simple acts—to see, listen to, acknowledge, encourage, and value others—the focus of my life is worthwhile. I have been teacher, poet, mentor. I will be more impractical things (writer, blogger, lecturer, workshop leader, publisher, video instructor, and things I can’t even conceive of at this point). But practicality is not my goal, in my professional or my personal life. What’s yours?
Categories: Art, Katie's Voice
The Gloria Sirens 
so amazing
Taelynn Davis
On Tue, Mar 8, 2016 at 11:50 AM, The Gloria Sirens wrote:
> Katie Riegel posted: “I often find the phrase “be the change you want to > see in the world” intimidating, because the change I want to see in the > world is huge, sweeping, overwhelming, and must be the result of millions > of other people working to change complex systems of injus” >
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So true , I would like to see that too
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Who wouldn’t
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Wonderfully written!
“Be the change you want to see in the world.” as quoted by Mahatma Gandhi. He quoted it to influence every individual to change. The world will change itself.
But you too moulded it nicely. 🙂
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Reblogged this on The Manifesto.
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Inspiring – If we all did our part in this the ripple you discussed would continue
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In a world that doesn’t listen, I want to listen and absorb. That does more good for so many situations in life than you can imagine. With your children, your spouse, coworkers, patents and friends.
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Reblogged this on Lisa Lanser Rose and commented:
“Practicality is not my goal.” It’s never been mine either, although I’ve often been ashamed to be seen as impractical, especially in pursuit of art. Yet practicality means “concern with the business of ordinary activities,” and “ordinary” is as varied as we are. It needs to be okay that for some of us “ordinary” is writing a poem.
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I was speechless, which inspired text!
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Really beautiful. All we need to do is each one to simply cast their stone across the waters and those ripples will form a big tide. Thankyou!
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Reblogged this on lovelifeandbebrave and commented:
Stumbled upon this well written thought of how to be the good in this world. We often forget to be the good or the positive aspect in this world of negativity. Thank you Katie for your wonderful words!
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True indeed it all starts with each of us
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I like your essay, the change we crave to see in other people must start from us, and that was Jesus said in the bible that before we criticize people we have to look at ourselves The Irony of it is that most of us focus on other people instead on yourself, any change must start from us and inside us.
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I agree with every single phrase…so true
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Your speech is extremely beautiful, every single word you Said is so True and your dreams are such An ispiration to us
World needs heroes and surely needs changes!
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Really inspiring post! I agree with how much change we need to do in this world and wish to be part of the good change!
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Very nicely put. This is one for me to share with my kids, so they can learn that it’s not just their mom who feels this way. Thank you.
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Change starts from home. Self-duty if performed religiously will certain change the scenario. If not fully it will at least energize the surroundings. Well thought and nicely presented.
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The phrase is really required by everyone all over the Globe…..It has the potential to save the world..
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my goal almost match you.i m a young men started organization to educate the poor children of the village in bangladesh.my organization name is villageaid…villageaid.wordpress.com
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violance against women is not only prevail in the poor world but also in developed world.it should be checked and we should change our mind
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Sometimes we forget that small acts of compassion, or of goodness can change and impact someone’s life. And if we impact one life at a time and that life impacts another, eventually the world starts to change. Really well written! Congrats!
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My goal is too to make a difference in the world.
This is why I have started a blog so that more people are aware of what Burmese Americans go through and the plight of refugees.
We can be the change of this world if we believe it!
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Beautifully put!! I love the simplicity 🙂
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Beautiful
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These words are so wise… I want to be a teacher myself and I can tell you that I completely agree with you. I was speechless when I read your article. Incredible! Thanks for sharing it with us.
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