‘Be the Change’ – What It’s All About
By Becky Henderson | December 12, 2010 at 4:43 am
Knit into the fabric of every human soul are several common pillars: a longing for justice, a desire for relationships and a delight in beauty, according to author N.T. Wright. These felt needs extend beyond race and region, beyond borders and status, and they unite and connect us to meaningful living. These elements are the foundation and themes through which our programming is built and produced.
As we approached Halogen TV’s first birthday of being on the air, I decided to choose a tagline that would embody who we are as a network and who our viewers are.
We launched with “What’s your element?” playing off our name Halogen and pointing people to their purpose, but it never really stuck. I realized it meant more to me than it did to anyone else. I also loved the phrase “be the change” from the famous Mahatma Ghandi quote: “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”
And after sharing it with our team and seeing their instant connection, I knew we’d found our anthem.
“Be the Change” really says it all for me. I think a lot of people see it and think it means be a volunteer, but it’s so much deeper than that. If you look at it in the context of Ghandi’s quote, it’s not just a charge, it’s a question: What do you wish to see in the world?
What makes you angry or sad or happy? It may not be the same thing that makes me cry or smile, but it’s a key to your purpose. No one can do everything, so we must pay attention to those things that move our soul. We must act on the things that bring us pain and delight. Whether it’s through volunteering, creating art, traveling the globe or deeply engaging in relationships around us, we all have a unique difference to make.
It can be as simple as making a stranger smile or being a good parent, neighbor or friend. Bringing laughter. Managing your money well. Coaching little league. It doesn’t just have to mean picking up trash or feeding the poor. There are all kinds of big and small changes the world needs. Everyone sees the world through different glasses and we are drawn to things that make us feel different ways. The moment you choose to engage with those longings is the moment you spark your purpose and begin to change the world in a way only you can.
Tell us how you can “Be the Change” in the world in the comments below.
