Be the Change You Want to See in the World
Last Updated on Friday, 08 May 2009 11:43 Written by Norm Tucker Friday, 03 April 2009 13:27
Book Review of “What Would Gandhi Do? – Simple solutions for global problems”
By Pummy Kaur
Trafford Publishing, 195 pages
What WOULD Gandhi do? That question intrigued me for a year from the moment I first read Pummy Kaur’s book. The book is now available in a second edition.
Some other questions also intrigued me and have seldom left my mind since first reading the book For example: What are simple solutions? How do we get to simple solutions? Do simple solutions work for complex problems?
A book that remains at the forefront of my consciousness must be a book worth reading. .
"What Would Gandhi Do?" is a book written with passion and reflects integrity. You may not agree with all the contents. But you will think. And if you care, you will make the changes in your life encouraged by Mahatma Gandhi who said:
“Be the change you want to see in the world”.
Not easy. Gandhi also said and lived by the words:
“May I live simply so that others may simply live”.
Also: not easy.
Gandhi walked his talk. And that is one of the enduring claims he has on history and the well being of humanity.
The question “What would Gandhi do?” can never be answered, only debated. Ultimately, what is important is not what he would do but what he did, a measurement useful when considering our own lives.
The question that Ms. Kaur asks me – without asking it – is what am I doing – not what am I going to do. And that question will challenge every reader who cares.
‘What Would Gandhi Do?’- the book – challenges us. The solutions start with you and me.
Ms. Kaur offers us an assortment of options. We will not be capable of all the options, but of some, or one or two. Simplicity is making that first step and to keep taking it and then building from it.
That step is for you and for me – to do something and to do it now – not promising something in the future – but now – making a start today If you have started, do more.
That is the challenge.
To be is to do.
Along the way to solving the world’s problems – either globally or locally – Ms. Kaur offers us 21 principles attributed to Gandhi.. They are worth thinking about. Many are beneficial and affirming to us as people who care for our own well being.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
- Give gratitude daily.
- Have silence regularly.
- Be humble at all times.
- Practise the spiritual essence of one’s own faith.
- Keep it simple.
- Be respectful.
- Be self sufficient and self controlled.
- Practise non-violence in thoughts, words and deed for it is the weapon of the strong.
- Honour the opponent, never humiliate.
- Proactively counter the seven blunders that lead to violence:
- wealth without work,
- knowledge without character,
- commerce without morality,
- science without humanity,
- worship without sacrifice,
- politics without principles,
- pleasure without conscience.
- Just do it, no matter how insignificant, with good intentions.
- Reflect on the impact of decisions on the least amongst us, especially on children.
- Improve one’s self in body, thinking and soul.
- Satisfaction lies in the effort; full effort is victory.
- Use personal calamities for self-improvement.
- TRUTH is what the voice within tells. LOVE is the other side of the same coin.
- Pursuit of TRUTH/LOVE is the key to true health and wellness.
- Act fearlessly upon what you believe is right.
- Perform seva without an eye on any results.
- Be the change you want to see in the world.
- Exercise the moral obligation to refuse to obey unjust laws.
What are some personal choices you can make to help solve the world’s problems? Ms. Kaur offers more than forty for readers to think about.
The key, though it seems to me, is to start now. Why not start with the environment? A few years ago I sold the car. Last year, I put low power electric bulbs. This year, I am reducing water consumption – mastering the 30 second or less shower, cutting down on water to shave and brush teeth, re-using water for my house and outdoor plants. I now compost despite living in an apartment.
It all helps. It all starts with a commitment and persistence to make the first step, then another.
Meanwhile if you and I can find simple solutions to our resource consumption habits, we can call upon national and world leaders to do the same.
“Be the change” seems to me to be a good place to start.
In 1946, India, along with many other countries faced famine. In the Ukraine nearly 2 million people died. The following photo shows former Republican President Herbert Hoover, who was head of President Trueman's Task Force for Famine Aid in Europe and Asia, with Mr. Gandhi after a meeting at the Viceroy's Lodge. Mr. Hoover is famous-infamous for his right wing response or failure to respond to the Great Depression.
America had a record grain surplus in 1945 and was able to help many countries in the world.
Gandhi did what he could despite political differences.
A final excerpt from Pummy Kaur’s book and again worth thinking about is a poem from Edward Everett Hale
But still I am me.
I cannot do everything,
But still I can do something.
And because I cannot do everything
I will not refuse to do the
Something I can do.”
Edward Everett Hale
