Is there anyone on the planet who is happy with the way things are right now? If there is, I haven’t seen them. Or talked to them. Nor have I seen their posts on social media. Or watched them on the news. But what I HAVE seen lately is a whole lot of people who are looking for change. They’re looking for things to be different. And I think that’s phenomenal.

What do you think about change? Some people hate it, some people can’t get enough of it. One thing is for sure, though. If we’re still breathing, something is going to be changing. It’s inevitable…you know – death and taxes, right? 

I think it’s safe to say that right now, change would be welcomed by pretty much everyone. I mean, if my glasses fog up one more time when I go in the grocery store with a mask on… But here’s the problem. Change is either going to happen WITH us or TO us. You get to decide.

If you choose to sit back and wait for decisions to be made and new policies to be created, then you’re just along for the ride. Buckle up! If you want to be told when you can go to Church or when you can visit your sick child in the hospital, then just relax. They’ll let you know.

But if you want to participate in your own future, then I have an idea. Let’s work together. The tide has already turned. Momentum is already building. The more people we get involved, the faster we’ll be able to see results. And I don’t know about you, but I want to live long enough to see what we can do. So the time is NOW!

And here’s the best part. If you have teens or tweens or young adults at home, I’m not telling you anything that you haven’t heard before, right? Our kids are already a step or two ahead of us, probably because they know what’s at stake if they do nothing. So how about we join them?

I’m not saying that we should all quit our jobs and pick up posters so we can walk the streets, chanting whatever the protest du Jour is. No! It’s too hot out there. Instead, let’s work on becoming changemaker families! Believe me, your kids are already there! Let’s huddle up and get to work!

The first thing you can do is encourage the changemaker characteristics that you already see in your children. And if you have several kids, just know that they may all be different, but that’s great! Diversity is critical for change. Remember, teens, tweens or young adults…we’re all in!

What I’m going to do is start a blog series on changemaker characteristics, including the ways that parents can encourage and foster these traits to the benefit of society. So when you notice a certain characteristic in your child, you’ll know how to nurture that trait and show him or her how they can use it to make the world a better place. Neat huh?

For example, if your teen is a dreamer or a problem solver or a facilitator, they have the potential to be a changemaker. If they are goal oriented or creative or curious or passionate – they do too. Do you see where I’m going with this? Then, we’ll put our heads together and figure out ways to change the things that bother us and I’ll even show you how to get your communities involved to make real, lasting change.

So for now, casually start paying attention to your kids and their quirky personalities. You may just have a future Changemaker in your family! We’ll find out soon enough!