“The person who removes a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.” ... Chinese Proverb

There are a lot of armchair evangelists in the world who moan about their lot, be it professional, personal, political, ecological or environmental issues that dissatisfy them. There are a lot of people who say that the actions of one cannot make a difference to the greater whole.

I disagree.

From an acorn grows an oak tree. From a grain of sand forms a pearl. Single drops of rain make rivers that make oceans.

The thought of a single person can create the mechanism that can influence, drive and effect immense change. History is full of examples.

Whether moving a literal or physical mountain stone by stone or planning an assault on the summit of Everest I would argue there are two tools essential for change - focus and commitment. Focus on each stone, each step as well as on the end goal and an unshakeable commitment that flows from the heart. If the focus and commitment of one can enable the summit of the world’s highest peak to be attained by a double amputee just imagine what the focus and commitment of a collective can achieve.

In our ever-increasingly insular world that is riven by terrorism and war amongst men, with climatic and geothermic activity wrecking havoc and the continual destruction of habitat the time has come for change otherwise the future for humankind is not rosy.

Change is not easy but it is possible. It begins with each and every one of us - with our thoughts, our words and our deeds. With our sights set on the collective consciousness, and with individual focus and commitment, I truly believe it is possible to effect enormous change for the good of the whole.

Written 13 March 2007, The image above was taken in Ponggol, Singapore. It is the fence around a construction site, ‘signed’ by the workers on the project - collective effort and commitment made visual.

Image © TJF Photographics 2007 All rights reserved