Changing World

      When I was a young man, 

I wanted to change the world. 

I found it was difficult to change the world. 

So, I tried to change my nation. 

When I found that I couldn't change the nation. 

I began to focus on my town. 

I couldn't change the town, 

And as an older man, 

I tried to change my family. 

Now, as an old man, 

I realized the only thing I can change is myself. 

And suddenly I realized, 

That if long ago I had changed myself. 

I could have made an impact on my family. 

My family and I could have made an impact on our town. 

Their impact could have changed the nation 

And I could, indeed, have changed the world. 

-Edward De Bono