Small change is good. Small change accumulates, like change on the car floor. It may seem like so little, but it can be your saving grace, when you need an extra quarter for air in your car’s tire.

Small change is like ripples on an ocean sea, it builds and creates waves, effecting all of the ocean’s creatures. Small change is like a virus, it infiltrates on a micro level, and it’s effects are not seen, until you are already infected. Change is infectious, it spreads.

Each of us encounters so many people in a given day, either in person, over the phone, or on the internet, etc. Those who are complete hermits are not reading this, and I am not including them in this picture. Each person you meet, is an opportunity to make change.

The first thing that can be done, in an unintrusive way, is to merely be an expression of what you believe. If what you believe, and how you live your life, really work for you, others will see this. For years, I tried to make change in people through my words, and then realized, I was taking the wrong approach. Yes, I write this blog, but I am speaking of ‘in person’ here.

Now that I no longer criticize or critique the people in my life, telling them that they need to change, I merely just obey my own advice. Many of the things I do, work, and many people in my life can see this. Now, they are more open to change, as they do not feel put on the spot, and challenged as people. As the saying says, “You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.”.

My daughter realized that several approaches to life I take, were working for me, so she tried them. Now, she has affected quite a number of people, by being an example to them. People can always argue with words, but they cannot argue against what obviously works through example.

Another way to make change, is through your internet connections. For example, today I had posted an ad on Craig’s List, for a free couch. Those who I was not able to give the couch to, I sent emails. This was what it said:

The couch is gone, but I appreciate your offer to pick it up. Such a wonderful world in which we can give away what we no longer need, and receive in kind. I appreciate your helping the environment, and not buying new. Have a wonderful evening!

~Shadow
ShadowMyth’s Multiverse

Now, first off, I thanked them for wanting to take the couch off of my hands. This helps to establish a positive connection with the person. I then go on to make a positive statement about reality, putting in their mind, that this situation where we can trade, is really cool. Perhaps if these people are merely takers, they will feel a little more inclined to return in kind on Craig’s List.

Next, I put into their minds, that they are not only getting something for free, but, helping the earth too. People want to feel they are doing right, no matter what they believe, even if it only doing right for themselves. When possible, appeal to people’s desire to do the right thing.

At the end I sign my name, and include a link to my blog. You can include the URL of your favorite cause, your business, or whatever message you are wanting to impress upon them. This furthers the doorway, and can continue on to make an influence.

In this situation I did not include a saying, but this is also a good idea. Instead, I included an animated picture, that was mysterious and drawing, but friendly. The picture will make them desire more to click on my blog link, more so, than if there was no picture.

This is a very friendly approach, and much more of an influence on reality, than if I were to say, “The couch is already gone, thanks for your offer to pick it up.” That would just be a wasted opportunity.

When you go out shopping, be sure to take note of the names on employee’s name tags. Strike up conversations, and be friendly. After you get to know people a bit, share a few personal details about your life, and ask for details about their life. As you connect, you will begin to create a relationship of sorts. This relationship may be limited to your shopping visits, but it will be an area of connection, where you can spread change, or even increase your customer base.

Make conversation with people on the bus, while waiting in lines, when picking up an item from Craig’s List, or any potential social situation you could find yourself in. The opportunities are endless. As time goes on, you will begin to gain a reputation. This reputation will aid in even greater change, as people will want to meet you, based on that reputation.

Blog, make videos, do podcasts, be a public speaker, put out advertisements, do volunteer work, and just connect through whatever mediums are most comfortable for you. In this modern day, making change is easier than it has ever been before. If what you have to offer, truly will improve people’s lives, there will always be those who will emulate your behaviors.

People learn through what they see, and are exposed to. You, as an individual, have the ability to expose people to ideas they may not encounter otherwise. Most people hang out with a select group of friends or associates, and limit their experiences, to what they allow. Young people tend to avoid older folks; religious people’s often avoid those who curse or speak of ideas other than their own; and gangs tend to avoid the police.

Everyone is an opportunity to spread your living example, and your ideas. Do not limit yourself, by being overly exclusive. Just because you do not bring the folks from the store over to your house, doesn’t mean you need to avoid them at the store. Every relationship can have it’s individual depth of connection, you are in control of where the relationship will go. There is never a reason to avoid having friends, the more the better.

Connection is a wonderful tool, and it is filled with incredible possibilities. Each connection of two, creates a third energy. This third energy is like an entity we both have given birth to, and how it thrives, is up to us. Nurture your relationships, and they will nurture you in return.

If relationships are not nurturing, and cause harm, it may be best to disconnect. Try not to make assumptions though, but come to understand a person over time. The very act of working toward understanding one another, is a very positive change unto itself.

So, how do you make change?

Be sure to check out my Ideas & Philosophy section!

[tags]change, social change, environmental change, spiritual change, ideologies, concepts, logic, friendship, relationships, networking, business practices, ethics, connection, social networking, shadowmyth, lockergnome, i see you[/tags]