"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead
I've always liked that quote from the great cultural anthropologist Mead.
Long before this era of Change Management, she got it! She understood the power in a highly engaged small group, the energy that can be unleashed!
When I think of energy, I recall the late Ferdinand Achacon, Ferdi to his friends, and "Bong" to those who really knew him well.
Ferdi died in 2011 after a long battle with cancer. By his living witness, he taught us about starting a movement to change things for the better.
Ferdi was an agent of change.
Several years before his passing, he became aware of how many homeless families there were in our area of central New Jersey. He also learned about a church-based network that existed to help such desperate families.
Several years before his passing, he became aware of how many homeless families there were in our area of central New Jersey. He also learned about a church-based network that existed to help such desperate families.
He thought that our parish should join the network and become part of the effort to help support and sustain homeless families while they sought a path to recovery.
After patiently pushing the idea through the thick resistance he encountered, we finally joined the Interfaith Hospitality Network.
If I were to distill some guidelines for change agents from Ferdi's example, I'd pinpoint the following:
F = Focus: Focus on the need you see that must be addressed. Help others to see it too. Confront the fears that keep us from stepping up and facing the problem.
A = Assert: Advocate for those in need. Arrange to speak with the people you must convert. Get on their agenda. Argue with the inertia.
I = Insist: Don't take "No" for an answer. Insist that they see you. Inspire a small group to join together and to act. Encourage them to imagine the improvement they could bring about in the lives of others.
T = Trust: Trust in what you know is right. Don't waver. Don't forsake the mission even when it feels like nothing is going your way. Trust in truth.
H = Hope: Without hope, the darkness closes in. Ferdi knew this. And he never lost hope. Even in the darkest of times.
A friend of mine used to say of Ferdi that he knew how to "poke you with a stick," but do it in a way that made you glad later, glad that he did prod you to do the right thing.
A few years back, I had the opportunity to interview Ferdi for an article I was writing for our parish magazine at St. Matthias.
If I were to distill some guidelines for change agents from Ferdi's example, I'd pinpoint the following:
F = Focus: Focus on the need you see that must be addressed. Help others to see it too. Confront the fears that keep us from stepping up and facing the problem.
A = Assert: Advocate for those in need. Arrange to speak with the people you must convert. Get on their agenda. Argue with the inertia.
I = Insist: Don't take "No" for an answer. Insist that they see you. Inspire a small group to join together and to act. Encourage them to imagine the improvement they could bring about in the lives of others.
T = Trust: Trust in what you know is right. Don't waver. Don't forsake the mission even when it feels like nothing is going your way. Trust in truth.
H = Hope: Without hope, the darkness closes in. Ferdi knew this. And he never lost hope. Even in the darkest of times.
A friend of mine used to say of Ferdi that he knew how to "poke you with a stick," but do it in a way that made you glad later, glad that he did prod you to do the right thing.
A few years back, I had the opportunity to interview Ferdi for an article I was writing for our parish magazine at St. Matthias.
He said: "I grew up in the Philippines. My family used to feed the poor in our village. My family has always been giving. My parents used to take care of the poor. I learned that you have to be more than yourself in helping the poor."
You have to be more than yourself.
Looking around at the many needs in our communities, it's time we started to apply such wisdom to the daunting task of improving this world. Let's get the ball rolling.
Pick your spot. Keep the faith.
~ This post is humbly dedicated to Ferdinand "Ferdi" Achacon, husband, father, disciple, agent of change.
Pick your spot. Keep the faith.
~ This post is humbly dedicated to Ferdinand "Ferdi" Achacon, husband, father, disciple, agent of change.
