How I Decided to Change the World by Writing (and how you can make a difference with me)

Your Crazy Dream Might Be Possible

Today, we’re going to explore a little of our core matter—what’s at the center of ourselves and our writing. Let’s begin with a question: What is something you’ve deeply wanted—even felt called—to do?  

Think on this a moment. Perhaps your answer is a profession such as writing. Or maybe it is an ideal or concept, like helping others. 

Why I want you to think about this is to challenge your thinking beyond your immediate goals, and to a larger purpose for yourself. What’s the crazy desire you’ve been told by life is impossible? 

If you’re on the same path as me, your crazy ideas might not be unreachable. In fact, they might be your calling. 

Does Reality Make Our Dreams Impossible?  

Around age 6, I knew I wanted to do something big with my life. 

As I grew up, however, the possibility of doing something significant with my life seemed to grow smaller. The message life kept telling me—that I was incapable of making an impression in the world—made my desire a dream only achievable vicariously through books, movies, and TV shows. 

I looked up to these stories and the characters who made such differences in their world. They lived with a greater meaning, and I wanted to do the same. But I was told reality wasn’t like that. You got by in life and lived in your own bubble. 

But I didn’t just want to live through life, I wanted to use my life for something important. I couldn’t accomplish this while a disconnect with reality and my desire coincided, though. 

It was a while later when I discovered the truth of reality. I came to think these stories I admired were, perhaps, not as far from reality as I thought—that they might even be closer to reality than what I believed to be reality. 

We Are in a Story

What I came to understand was that life was a story. It has a beginning, middle, and end, and it has a purpose. In this story, everyone has a role—you could say we are the characters. 

The difference between this story and the stories I idolized above, however, was this story was real and relevant to me, and its unfolding of a world-wide impact. 

With God as the focal center, I realized I did have a way to enact change in this world. And I didn’t just have a way, I had a responsibility. 

Once this was clear, doing something important and influential didn’t seem as far-fetched as I was made to believe. It was possible, and that deep desire was a calling, not a wishful longing. 

How We Change the World

Here is how we change the world—with our voice. Our words, our writing, holds the change we enact on the world. 

I’ve said this many times and I will say it many more because it is that important—our voices have power to make a difference. 

Stories—real or fictitious—are powerful. They have changed the course of history, brought awareness of injustice in our past, and will continue to shape the future. Our voice is a reflection of life, can be hope to those hurting, and a conveyor of truth. 

Telling stories makes our voice more powerful, because it’s in stories when we allow our worldview to be challenged. Stories work on the conscious and subconscious levels. Because the messages in stories are indirect lies the danger and power of stories.  

With every story we consume we are shaped, and with every story we tell we will shape others. 

Making a Difference is Easier Than Ever

In the age of technology and the emergence of indie publishing, it’s easier than ever to be heard. This is the time our voice can enact the most change. 

We can reach thousands of readers online, and publish our writing with the click of a button. Even building relationships with readers is easier now and can be done from our homes or our favorite coffee shop. 

With so much access to others, our voice is more powerful than ever. 

It is possible to make a difference in the world. 

Don’t hush your calling, but embrace your desire to do some good. 

Because once you believe you can, you will start doing it. 

Changing the World

You have a purpose. So create, share, and choose to make a difference. Be a voice with meaning, and never believe the lies of wrongly perceived reality. 

Because how we live is determined by our perception. 

As we started with a question, let’s end with one: How do you see the world? Think hard on your answer, because it will be the strength or weakness of your story. 

Life is a story—the greatest story you will ever read or watch—and of it you are a part. Your story has a place.