Diving into my memory brought a good story back to my mind – one that says that it is possible for human beings to change for the better when they want to change their lives and be a part of civilization.
The small village rowdy turned thief Ranjit, was spurned by everyone and he became a vagabond and a menace to the community. One day he went to the riverside and saw some ducks and decided to catch one for his dinner. He plunged into the river and instantly every duck swam away to safety and he could not catch even one.
The next day he went there again and saw a group of monks taking bath in the river and a swarm of ducks were swimming around them without fear. So he donned the robe of the monks and went to the river next day and jumped into the river and to his surprise he found that the ducks did not swim away but accepted him and stayed close to him.
He realised that by merely wearing the robes of the monks he was being accepted by as a good person and wondered how it would be if he really became a monk. He became the follower of the monks and they molded him into a fine human being who was now accepted by everyone and even respected. This new found acceptance by the society was much better than his wayward life and he soon became a preacher himself.
This story is really inspiring and when people are shown how they can become better and be more useful to the community and elevate themselves, they will do it. We, as Rotarians, have many things in common. We have been asked to build a better world and serve those in need and we have said yes.
If you are able, get started right now. We have work to do. We have to establish a chain of peace loving people who can change the world. Rotary is a product of our ideas and we have to work together and experiment together. We will try new things to unite people, bring peace into their daily life and make them eliminate anger and hatred. We may fail in few instances but succeed in many. But the constant will to bring about the much needed change in the way people see and treat each others will be our fundamental commitment to progress.
A lot of things have changed in the lifestyle of people, but one important thing hasn’t. Their willingness to accept ways to change for the better at some point of time in their life is still there. They need to hear the voice that can guide them. They don’t need a new year or a new day to start a new life. They only need a new mindset. Your voice can kindle a new mindset and change a room full of people.