The following was sent to me by a friend in an email...
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 decided to change only my country.
But, it too, seemed immovable.
As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it.
And now as I lie on my deathbed, I suddenly realize: If I had only changed myself 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.
The best and most productive time we can spend is in growing and elevating ourselves. This process, in turn will start to elevate others – so let’s all start.
~ author unknown
Think about it. The story above is so true. If we set out to change ourselves, and only ourselves, we will in turn make the world a better place to live.
God give us this basic life principle in Mt 7:3-5,
And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.
When we find ourselves judging others we should stop and examine our own heart. What we dislike in others are often the same bad habits or behavior patterns that we possess. It's not a pleasant process, I know, but it is a needful one if we want to be a better person. Look to Jesus, our ultimate example, to learn how to be a better person.
