Don’t change the world before you understand yourself

When I was around 21 I went on a trip around Europe, interrailing. At first I had some grand ideas how to solve problems of society and thought I would write those down during my trip. Boy was I wrong. Instead I noticed I had much more acute problems understanding myself and that it made sense to tackle those issues first.

It is easy to see change you want to make in the world — however, it is harder to know if that change is good or bad if you yourself are not in a good position. Many look at the world not as it is but rather through the lens of their current ideology, emotions or upbringing. Without understanding that this is affecting their whole worldview so much.

Therefore, you should first change yourself to be aware and understand how you work. Only then can you look at the world without the lens that colors your reality — or rather you are aware of it and can get a better view of the world as it really is. Take the obstruction out of your own eye.

The risk being that when you try to change the world without being aware is that you might end up changing things for your own convenience, your own pride and dogmatic beliefs — or just to relieve your negative feelings.

First you should deal with understanding yourself — then you can move in the world from a better position of understanding.

Many of the issues in society come from un-aware actors that desperately are trying to change the world to help their own short sighted needs. Un-aware actors may have good intentions but often cause more damage then good.

On the other hand, an aware actor is more likely to actually do good since they are acting from a place of understanding and sensitivity. Understanding of themselves and of reality.

Thanks for reading.