Who really changes the world?

Is it the people with power or is it those that are challenged?

Why do I ask this? It was because recently I came across a quote by Thomas Merton (an American Catholic writer and mystic). He stated; ‘Much of the real germinating action in the world is among the immobilized, the outsiders.’ To prove this point I am going to give you two examples that I recently became aware of.

Chad Mureta had a real estate business when he was involved in a devastating car accident that left him hospital-bound, nearly losing his arm. His business couldn’t carry on without him being physically present. His mounting medical bills meant he had to find an alternative source of income. During his time in the hospital he came across an article about mobile apps. It was then that he decided to try his hand on producing these mobile applications.

After reading a magazine article about mobile apps during his hospitalization, Mureta decided to try his hand at producing mobile applications. At the time, the industry was relatively new, but he felt the growth potential was worth the risk. He found a development company and outsourced all the work to create his first application. The rest they say is a history of success. Remember he was not a tech guy and still isn’t to this day. He saw an opportunity and took action, even though he was challenged health-wise.

For Jason Pinchoff, his life was changed transformationally. In the early 1990’s, his father died and sister was in a car accident. Later that year, his mother died due to breast cancer. This combination of personal misfortune led Pinchoff to found a foundation in his late mother’s name and was dedicated to supporting families affected by cancer.

While you may not have had a challenge as large as Chad or Jason, I am sure if you dig deep into your memory you can find that ‘seed’ that will spur you on to be all that you can be for a world that is looking for the service you can provide.

I have two questions to conclude with;

• What is the most challenging experience you’ve ever encountered?
• What can you do to use this experience to create a better world?