The beginning of a year is usually a harbinger of new beginnings and commitments.   Many of us must have thought about a resolution or two.

For some, flossing more than once a month will be a goal. Some might seek to lose a few pounds while others struggle to quit Shisha.  Perhaps your resolution is to be a ruthless businessperson or a humbled surgeon.  The more ambitious of us may have set a goal to double incomes, overcome depression, speak the truth, live life to the fullest, or develop stronger spiritual and personal ties. 

It’s safe to say our priorities focus on changing a thing or two about our selves in pursuit of happiness and a better quality of life.  The common thread in our resolutions is that they revolve around “Me”, which is only natural.  But how many of us thought about improving something beyond the individual self – fully knowing that our contribution will not have an immediate or direct effect on our lives?  Who has a new year’s resolution for a country, idea, or a stranger’s life? 

What was our goal for Taiz, Manchester, Darfur, or the community we call home?    

Did we consider changing the life of a single mom, or a lonely senior?

Who has set a goal to contribute to a field just to improve the lives of many; whether that’s in the scientific, political, management or economic realm?

Are any of us planning on representing a belief or championing an idea?

Anyone dared to start a revolution?

The options to contribute beyond our self are many.  But do we have the mindset and the steadfast motivation to do so?

Two young men, Marc Kielburger and Craig Kielburger, attempted to alter the focus on “Me” by coining the life philosophy ‘Me to We.’  “At the most basic level, [Me to We] embraces the idea that we can all build a better life-and our ideal world-through reaching out to others. In practice, it involves focusing less on ‘Me’, and more on ‘We’ – our communities, our nation and our world as a whole” [1].

The idea of caring for others is not novel and was preached by many religions and texts. But in our diverse communities it is important to find and work with commonalities in ideas, and “Me to We” is a wonderful starting point. 

Adopting a “Me to We” mindset critically challenges our focus, pushes us to find and give the best within ourselves, empowers us to consider others in our decisions, and helps us curb narcissism, which can be a deadly potent to our well-being.  Ironically, focusing on others results in the beautification of our self.

So perhaps we should dare to start a revolution from within and commit to challenge our mindsets this year.  Maybe then our resolution for 2008 will have ample room for others?

References:
[1] www.metowe.org

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