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Commentary
This is a lesson I learned many years ago when as a young man I set out to change the world. I wanted to stop the war in Vietnam as well as end racism and poverty. These were all lofty dreams, but ultimately unattainable. I learned that to change anything, I must first change myself. Change begins at home and if I am lucky, I will be able to influence and impact a small part of the world around me.
Are you unhappy with your job? Begin by changing yourself — improve your skills, educate yourself. Are you unhappy with your marriage? Change yourself. No one is perfect. What are you doing that makes your spouse mad? Change it. Most married people set out to fix their spouse. You can't change your spouse. You must first change yourself.
Are you dissatisfied with your creative work? Do you need to improve your skills? What can you do to become a better writer? Artist? Musician? Actor? Business leader? Do you need to increase the number of hours spend on being creative? Do you need to overcome your fears and share your creative ideas with the world?
Another lesson I learned about change is that only YOU can change yourself. No one else can change you unless you are ready to change. Your parents cannot force you to change, though they will try. Your boss cannot change you, though he may try. Your spouse cannot change you, though she will try for years. Only you can change you. And you will only change when you are ready. Other people can influence and inspire you, but only you can create the change that is needed within.
Once you master of the art of changing yourself, then maybe you can influence and inspire others to change. Remember, though, that they will only change when they are ready. If you are unwilling to change yourself, forget about inspiring change in those around you.
What changes can you make in yourself today that will inspire and influence the people around you? Are you ready to make the changes needed? Are you willing to do the things it takes to make lasting change? Only you can answer these questions.
"Finally you understand that the real motorcycle you're working on is yourself."
— Robert Pirsig
A third lesson I've learned about change is that it requires commitment. People dream of changing their lives but usually they lack the deep commitment to do so. Change takes hard work and follow through.
Change takes commitment and patience. Becoming a creative leader doesn't happen overnight. It takes years of work and commitment. Creative work is a lifetime commitment. Don't give up.
Robert Pirsig
Born September 6, 1928 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Son of Harriet Marie Sjobeck and Maynard Pirsig. Father was a professor and dean of law school.
Awarded high school diploma at 14.
Studied biochemistry at the University of Minnesota.
Enlisted in the army. Stationed in South Korea.
Received Bachelor’s degree in 1950.
Studied philosophy at Banaras Hindu University in India.
Married Nancy Ann James in 1954. Had two sons.
Earned a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota.
Taught creative writing at the Montana State University.
Taught at the University of Illinois in Chicago.
Had mental breakdown. Diagnosed with schizophrenia and treated with electroshock therapy (1961-1963).
Wrote and published Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance in 1974. Pitched the book to 121 different publishers.
Awarded Guggenheim Fellowship in 1974.
Divorced in 1978. Remarried the same year to Wendy Kimball.
Son stabbed to death in a mugging in San Francisco in 1979.
Wrote and published Lila: An Inquiry into Morals (1991).
Died at home in Maine in 2017 at the age of 88.
This is a great reflection, Harley- I love the reminder. Change is indeed something we must take ownership of. Something that (hopefully) gets better and easier with age? Though I’m one of the least experienced people in this that I know of 😂. Hope you’re well in your neck of the woods? 🙏 -Thalia
Thanks, Thalia. I have also learned that we accept change more when we instigate it. We resist change when others attempt to make us change.
We had rain all day. Take care and thanks for stopping by.