You Are a Beautiful Catalyst for Change

When I imagine a “beautiful catalyst for change,” I imagine a good witch. (I’ve been watching the 1990s sitcom, Charmed, these days…) I imagine the potential for creating beautiful and wonderful change in the world. Powers ranging from replacing a child’s tears with a smile to vanquishing evil demons (or their modern-day equivalent). 

Beautiful change ranges from the tiny, everyday moments to enormous, societal issues.

Tiny moments are incredibly beautiful and important and worthy. These are the pieces that create the days that create our life. Please don’t ever doubt the worth of the beautiful changes you create in the realm of small and ordinary. Making someone laugh or feel loved are two of the best things you can do in the world, and these most often happen during small moments. Let’s not overlook ordinary moments of change searching for the extraordinary. 

But let’s also not underestimate our power and potential and forever stay in the realm of small. While our lives are comprised of ordinary moments, we can still touch extraordinary.

You are a beautiful catalyst for ordinary AND extraordinary change.

Two Questions To Become a Catalyst for Change

What would you like to change?

Be bold. Aim high. What is wrong in the world that hurts your heart? 

When I was younger, the answer was rainforest deforestation. I couldn’t bear the thought of all those animals losing their home and the earth losing its lungs. I became a vegetarian so that I wasn’t supporting the cattle industry that cut down the trees to make pastures (full disclaimer: I eat meat again, but rarely eat beef). I educated myself and donated money and signed petitions and spoke up when anyone was interested.

I realize deforestation continues. Not the change I was hoping for, and yet I’d like to think (hope), I created at least some change. It’s not always possible to see the change we create. If nothing else, my actions aligned with my values, and that is a wonderful way to live. And as I’m writing this, perhaps that is the most important change we can create— change the way we live to align with our values. 

Because, let’s be honest, we’ve all pretty much got it a little wonky. Our values say one thing, but our actions say another. And this incongruence doesn’t feel good— it’s like wearing pants that are two sizes too small or an itchy sweater.

One of my values is justice, and I’m willing to guess that you value justice, too. Justice is the equitable, morally correct, and respectful treatment of humans. When I look at all the injustices happening in our world right now— sex trafficking, mediocre healthcare, discrimination, domestic violence, child abuse, to name a few— it’s overwhelming. 

And as much as I would like a good witch’s power (and Alyssa Milano’s body), my human existence doesn’t possess the ability to be a beautiful catalyst for change against all injustice. There’s so much. But it’s better to create some change than no change (I know how tempting it is to simply give up in the face of such powerlessness). We’re left with choosing which demons get our attention and the power we do possess— and while it might not be enough to cure all injustices, it is a lot.

How to choose? Well, if all the injustice hurts your heart, which one feels like a warlock zapping your heart with bolts of blue lightning from his fingertips? (Put in a less magical way, which one resonates the most? Or which one needs your attention the most right now— just like all houses are important, but we give our attention to the one up in flames.)

Choose that one.

The systemic racism happening in our schools is the lightning bolt to my heart. This is something I have known about and cared about, but I have not matched my actions to align with my heart. And with Black Lives Matter gaining momentum and becoming a movement, I am left to face my shame of “Why nothing sooner?” I’m showing up too late, but I’d rather show up too late than never show up at all. 

How would you like to change?

1// Do the inner work. 

To create change beyond us, we often need to create change within us. How will I need to change in order to become a “beautiful catalyst for change” for Black lives?

I need to explore my white privilege and face the very uncomfortable truth that my actions have most likely been affected by implicit bias (an unconscious, negative stereotype). Even though I want to protest with everything I’ve done that is not racist, I need to acknowledge the hidden part. It’s not either/or; it’s yes/and. Yes, I think and act without racism, and because of my white skin and white privilege, I’ve likely engaged in subtle racism, too. 

A major part of growth is admitting our own flaws and learning from them.

2// Do the outer work.

How you create change starts with inner growth, but it ends with outer action. How do I change my actions in order to become a “beautiful catalyst for change” for Black lives?

For me, this has included signing petitions, donating to organizations working for change, amplifying melanated voices, and supporting Black-owned businesses.

I also need to pay attention to that lightning bolt— the predominantly Black children attending underfunded schools with a lack of resources pull at my heartstrings. How can I lend my support and energy toward this important issue? I would like to partner with Black teachers and create a preschool curriculum centered on anti-racism and other educational books that promote diversity, a sense of belonging and being loved, overcoming trauma, and foundational skills for success (such as empathy and emotional regulation).

You are a beautiful catalyst for change.

Are you going to use your beautiful creative powers? Are you going to honor the ordinary while also believing in your ability to achieve the extraordinary?

I believe you can.