*”When I was a young man (woman), I wanted to change the world. I found it was
difficult to change the world,so I tried to change my nation. When I found
I couldn’t change the nation, I began to focus on my town. I couldn’t
change the town and so I tried to change my family. Now, as an old man (woman), I
realize the only thing I can change is myself, and suddenly I realize that
if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family.
Then my family and I could have made an impact on our town. Their impact
could have changed the nation and I could **indeed have changed the world.”*
*~ Unknown monk*
I have noticed that in interpersonal relationships there is often a rub. That rub in my experience has to do with my own wanting things to be a particular way, as though there was one right way for things to be. I find no peace when I persist with this and my relationships suffer. If, instead, I become an observer of my own desires and attachment to having things be a certain way, I can relax, respond and let go. 