The Golden Gypsies

World changers are never seen as the super geniuses they are when they risk deviation from the norm to explore life's possibilities. It is only after the success of their risk that they are taken for what they are, revolutionary. At times, this validation comes much later, after the world has had time to understand and accept life's new different possibilities. Until people are ready to accept change, those that strive to seek change will always be seen as deranged. 

Society exists according to the thoughts and beliefs of the people within it, challenging the accepted norm challenges the comfort which stability provides, however false it may be. While some thrive living confined in the box, accepting the reality provided, others seek the possibility of shaping their own reality. If you are one of those people, I have something to share with you. If not, it is never too late in your life to change and become one of those people. 

By no means do I claim to have Tesla genius or Ghandi wisdom. I did however learn a valuable lesson from the stories of history's world changers:

Society will always find flaw with the way you conduct your life. People will always question whether your methods, beliefs, choices, values, decisions are best, valid or correct. (Especially if you broadcast it to the world through a blog!) Regardless of the courage in your heart, the logic in your head or the conviction in your soul that the path you chose is right, doubt (in the human form mostly) will inevitably find you and when you are most vulnerable, strike.

Courage is defined as : mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. Not the ability to make right decisions, avoid a fall, or inherently escape failure. It is the ability to face challenges, deterrents, and even our mistakes and to survive, to persevere through them. A world changer's most important quality is courage, the courage to break away from the known, the courage to face the unknown and the courage to discover the unknown knowns in life, that is the things we know but don't yet understand the meaning or importance of.

Part of being a world changer is following the drive within you that propels you forward, through trials, missteps and onward toward discovery and truth, in spite of what is popular or accepted. The point I am trying to make is live life according to your own standard. You will, as humans do, make mistakes and stumble. But this will happen whether you "play it safe" and follow the rules or "walk on the wild side" and write your own rules. World changers can't worry about the being accepted by society, instead they worry about accepting less than life has to offer. Don't allow others opinions, limitations or fears to dictate or determine your potential. No discovery, truth or greatness was ever found inside a box or within limits. 

I know we all need this reassurance every now and then, you wouldn't be reading this if you liked living in a box. Waking each day ready and open to where life has to lead you takes courage. Take this as the pat of encouragement or the universe sending you a message: Be courageous, be strong, be happy, but most of all...be you. And when you question yourself, answer yourself...but not out loud in public...that's crazy. 

I'd love to hear your comments and stories of how you were questioned, shamed, or discouraged from living life according to the change you wish to see. Feel free to share how you overcame, reacted or responded to this negative energy.

Some quotes for you world changers:

“When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not yet ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back. A week is more than enough time for us to decide whether or not to accept our destiny.” 
― Paulo Coelho, The Devil and Miss Prym

"Be the change you wish to see in the world"

-Gandi

“Life is a series of natural and spontaneous changes. Don't resist them; that only creates sorrow. Let reality be reality. Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like.” 
― Lao Tzu

“For what it’s worth: it’s never too late or, in my case, too early to be whoever you want to be. There’s no time limit, stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same, there are no rules to this thing. We can make the best or the worst of it. I hope you make the best of it. And I hope you see things that startle you. I hope you feel things you never felt before. I hope you meet people with a different point of view. I hope you live a life you’re proud of. If you find that you’re not, I hope you have the strength to start all over again.” 
― F. Scott Fitzgerald

“Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.”
-Apple Inc.

“Change will not come if we wait for some other person, or if we wait for some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” 
― Barack Obama

“And that is how change happens. One gesture. One person. One moment at a time.” 
― Libba Bray, The Sweet Far Thing

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” 
― Mother Teresa