Change ya no change
A crucial test of character is whether one is able to adapt to changing social conventions without sacrificing one's principles.
'Survival of the fittest'- this principle is the essence of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. The species that have survived to see the light the day, have had to battle drastic changes in climatic conditions, topography and nature of their predators, and have had to constantly evolve to meet newer challenges.
At a microcosmic level, Man has been confronted by changing social conventions, customs and trends. It is often stated -
“The world is revolving so fast that one has to run as fast as one can, just to remain where he is". Clearly, adaptability is the key to survival and any intransigence to change is an invitation to disaster.
However, adaptability does not necessarily mean that one has to move with the masses, like cattle in a herd without any expression of individuality. Progress has been possible throughout history only by challenging existing conventions and dogmas. Had Galileo not stood up to the Catholic Church, we would probably still be wallowing in ignorance about the heliocentric nature of solar system. Great changes in society have been brought about by eradication of ignorance, superstitions through rejection of authority.
Unfortunately, as is evident in the treatment meted out to Jesus Christ, Galileo and other great men, our society has not always been receptive to new ideas and has frowned upon anyone attempting to swim against the tide. This is the where the person attempting a change faces a test of character. Without being an iconoclast, one must hold his ground in the face of the challenges thrown to him. For this to happen, the change in the system must be brought about not by confrontation, but by persuasion and reason from within the system. This is certainly not as roseate as it might sound, and involves constant adaptation to suit the existing norms while also not sacrificing one's principles, something that requires a lot of grit and gumption.
Ultimately, one has to realize that change is the only thing that's constant, and that whatever change is intended is must be for the betterment of the society as a whole. Therefore, one must learn to shed one's ego and research well into the intended change and verify it against existing conventions. On the part of the person intending the change it might sometimes involve rejection of his view-points, but he must ultimately learn to have full faith in his principles and wait for the opportune moment for the change to happen
At a microcosmic level, Man has been confronted by changing social conventions, customs and trends. It is often stated -
“The world is revolving so fast that one has to run as fast as one can, just to remain where he is". Clearly, adaptability is the key to survival and any intransigence to change is an invitation to disaster.
However, adaptability does not necessarily mean that one has to move with the masses, like cattle in a herd without any expression of individuality. Progress has been possible throughout history only by challenging existing conventions and dogmas. Had Galileo not stood up to the Catholic Church, we would probably still be wallowing in ignorance about the heliocentric nature of solar system. Great changes in society have been brought about by eradication of ignorance, superstitions through rejection of authority.
Unfortunately, as is evident in the treatment meted out to Jesus Christ, Galileo and other great men, our society has not always been receptive to new ideas and has frowned upon anyone attempting to swim against the tide. This is the where the person attempting a change faces a test of character. Without being an iconoclast, one must hold his ground in the face of the challenges thrown to him. For this to happen, the change in the system must be brought about not by confrontation, but by persuasion and reason from within the system. This is certainly not as roseate as it might sound, and involves constant adaptation to suit the existing norms while also not sacrificing one's principles, something that requires a lot of grit and gumption.
Ultimately, one has to realize that change is the only thing that's constant, and that whatever change is intended is must be for the betterment of the society as a whole. Therefore, one must learn to shed one's ego and research well into the intended change and verify it against existing conventions. On the part of the person intending the change it might sometimes involve rejection of his view-points, but he must ultimately learn to have full faith in his principles and wait for the opportune moment for the change to happen
posted by venki at 7:11 PM
1 Comments:
the first step in the process of change is the need to acknowledge the necessity to do so and an acceptance of the same.
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