Start With Yourself

The following words were written on the tomb of an Anglican Bishop¹ in the Crypts of Westminister Abbey:

When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world. As I grew older and wiser, I discovered the world would not change, so I shortened my sights somewhat and decided² to change only my country.

But it, too, seemed immovable.

As I grew into my twilight³ years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas⁴, they would have none of it.

And now as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realize: If I had only changed my self first, then by example I would have changed my family.

From their inspiration and encouragement, I would then have been able to better my country and, who knows, I may have even changed the world.

　　编者按：

　　在懵懂的童年时期，我们胸怀梦想，相信自己的力量可以改变世界。后来，我们渐渐长大成熟，经历了生活的艰辛，明白了世无定事，感到了自己的渺小，我们的梦想也从“改变世界”降格成“改变家庭”，最终定位成“改变自己”。但我们实在不该低估自己，因为在我们改变自己的同时也潜移默化地影响着家庭，而作为世界的一分子，从某个角度来讲，我们也正改变着世界。