As we meditate on how to live a life, ponder Gandhi's quote and further discuss how the quote fits into the context of our world.
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”
Places to pick back up from class:
- This quote could be used for positive AND negative ends.
- Subjective to the reader.
- Open to interpretation as to what that "change" should/could be.
- It doesn't simply have to apply to the "world". It can be on any scale.
Comment AND reply.
Go deep and bleet...
Well, I took the quote originally as positive, not even considering the fact that it could be taken as the polar opposite.
ReplyDeleteI did the same thing. I thought it only meant to be a better person, and the world will follow. But then I realized it means so much more. It's times like these I love those "Nuggets of Wisdom" kind of quotes.
DeleteExactly. The negative "end" of this quote seemed implausible for me, as well. When we think of changing the world, we automatically consider things like recycling, helping old ladies cross the street, or even stopping the dangers that bullying poses. Little do we consider the change that has brought unrest to the Middle East, inexplicable deaths to innocent Jews, Christians, and Muslims alike, and global poverty financially, emotionally, and physically.
DeleteImmediately I thought of the negative effects of this quote, but then I thought of the ratio of how many people would try to change the world for the bad;how many people would try to change the world for the good, and ultimately I was depressed to find out that I forgot one factor in the equation... How many people would be too lazy to even attempt?
Deleteokay so i took this quote many ways. i immeadiatley thought it of the positive way, but then i also thought of the negative ways too. I also thought of this quote as a great inspiration because since being reminded of this quote, i have trid to be the change of the things i didnt like. instead of coming home and complaining about the gossip or drama, i stopped participating in it. i noticed that it made my day a whole lot brighter. So im gonna be like Mr. T and give a challange. I want everone to think of one thing they always say they want to change, but never do. Now try to do small steps to change it. you will hopefully notice that you have less stress or are in a beter mood.
ReplyDeleteI'll take you up on that challenge! I WANT more smiles and hugs in a day. If you think about it, you know if someone smiled at you..it'll make you smile back. And hugging a friend or someone close to you at the beginning of the day especially will get you off to a great start. Just like if you have a good breakfast in the morning that prepares you physically, a hug will prepare you emotionally! You may not agree, but hey! This is the change that I WANT in my world.
DeleteYAY!!(: haha this makes me feel accomplished && you aRE VERY RIGHT, STARTING THE DAY WITH A HUG DOES PUT YOU IN A WAAAY BETTER MOOD!(:
DeleteA lot of times, people want to help, but don't have the will to. They'll see a sad comercial and be like "Oh, that's to bad," and just keep on eating their dinner. Even though helping and changing something seems hard at first, it makes more of an impact on you that it does on the person you're helping in the first place. But people are lazy and just wait for someone else to do something. it's pretty sad actually. That's why i think that it's so great that we can go over this kind of stuff now--in hopes that we figure it out and we don't end up like the couple sitting at dinner while watching a child in another country that hasn't eaten in days, so that we can be the 'change' in our generation, and make a difference.
DeleteA GREAT book that has to do with this stuff is called "Do Hard Things." It's a teen book written for teens, by teens who have been a HUGE success. It talks about doing big things in life, as well as the small, and why it's so hard at times. I read it, and I can testify that I LOVED it.
I propose that we should all have a few minutes of class before we start anything else to just go around and spread some happiness! I think if we all start our mornings like that, we would be more inclined to share the happiness with others too! You can't give an effective hug or smile to someone if you're already sad to begin with.
DeleteAt first, I think of the world when I see this quote. It fits, right? Upon deeper thoughts, however, I found that it can be taken in many more ways than just the literal. I found that the easiest thing to do was open my mind more, and all the possibilities rushed out. It can mean whatever I want it to mean, just like it can mean whatever you want it to mean. But I think the coolest thing about this quote is that this man chose these words specifically for the purpose that it can mean anything you want it to. So why hold back?
ReplyDeleteWhat makes that quote so much more potent is the fact that he wasn't hypocritical about it. He actually applied his tactics and Changed the world (or at least a good portion of it) himself.
DeleteStarting change is such an appealing topic. It really makes everyone listen. And its a great way toinfluence the people around you. President Barrack Obama's slogan was YES WE CAN... which implied a sort of change in the political world. He won his presidential seat by offering the people a change, we humans always want change when something is not right. So he used that to his advantage for sure. Smart! Also, not like barrack obama, Hitler used the topic of change to influence people into a geneocide. Which was not good, but change isn't always. And I learner that.
ReplyDeletePeople's attention are caught by something that is supposedly "shiny and new", when it may as well might not be at all. I hate the disappointment when you get something that's supposed to be awesome, and realize that it's just simply not.
DeleteI see this quote as having a good and bad end but considering that I am such a nice person, I only see the good in everything!:) so I see this quote as being inspirational and awesome!!
ReplyDeleteThat's a good thing! Sure we need to look at "reality" and the bad stuff that can happen, but some people forget to just "look at the bright side" or "silver lining" and be happy.
DeleteI agree. When I first read this, I thought of it in a positive way. but taking a deeper look showed me that this could apply to A N Y O N E --- which isn't always necessarily a good thing.
DeleteI loved this conversation that we had in class I actually had something to say and that's rare for me so I liked it alot. This quote is very powerful and we can all take it anyway we want but hopefully we all take this in a positive way!!!
ReplyDeleteI loved how you could just look at it as a simple cluster of words, but when looked at closely, it means much more. Imagine if we didn't just use our eyes, but (metaphorically) we used a magnifying glass? Or a microscope? What about molecular level?!? It seems that the longer I look at this quote, the more it reveals itself to me. So much so that I don't even think that Ghandi thought about it this much! (Hahah) Maybe it just slipped out of his wisdom-lined lips without realizing what depth he had in saying it! I know I don that sometimes... :D
ReplyDelete"Change your thoughts and you change your world."
ReplyDeleteThe fact that this quote can be interpreted for the better or worse accentuates the power it carries- the power that not only influences people to revolutionize and ameliorate the world, but also to destroy the world for immoral reasons. This change, moral or immoral, begins with oneself and can emanate worldwide. Obviously, Mahatma Gandhi had no intention of inciting negative reactions by declaring this; he was merely expressing the power of which individuals are capable. Some individuals unfortunately exploit this insurmountable power.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this quote holds a substantial amount of power. I also think that because of the many avenues and directions this quote can be taken to that alone gives it a lot of power.
DeleteI agree that the quote does not have to apply to the world. No matter what you do in life if you want to see a change there has to be some action behind it. You cannot just simply complain about something so passionately and then do nothing to change the outcome. I am a firm believer in actions speak louder than words and I think this quote is a great parallel to that.
ReplyDeleteThis quote is very volatile. I guess it depends on how one interprets their own world.
ReplyDeleteIt also reminds me of the saying where if you smile at one person on the street, it'll start a chain reaction of smiles and happiness.
SOO I think ultimately it is a good quote --- Look how Ghandi changed his world!
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