How Does Change Happen?
by Jennifer Corriero

How does change happen?
This is perhaps one of those eternal questions
that carries both simplicity
and depths of complexity
juxtaposed in a tension
so bright and dark that
emotions explode and identities blur.

Is your belief defined by your role
or is your role defined by your belief?

How does change happen?

POLICY says the policy maker
MARKETS says the business manager
MASS MOBILIZATION says the organizer

DIALOGUE says the convenor
SYSTEMS CHANGE says the academic
IMAGINATION says the artist

INVENTION says the scientist
INNOVATION says the technologist
INVESTMENT says the banker

DESIGN says the architect
ENLIGHTENMENT says the spiritual guide
RULE OF LAW says the lawyer

CONVICTION says the leader
EDUCATION says the teacher
REVOLUTION says the activist

UNIVERSAL ACCESS says the philanthropist
HEALTHY CHOICES says the coach
AWARENESS says the communicator

DATA says the analyst
CRISIS says the journalist
ACTION says the entrepreneur
PERSPECTIVE says the author

HOPE says the dreamer
NETWORKS says the connector
INSPIRATION says the storyteller

LOVE says the mother
ASPIRATION says the father
LAUGHTER says the child
POSSIBILITY says the youth
REFLECTION says the elder


And so we ask ourselves
Where we stand, where we shine and where we fly.
We ask whether or not
we are defined
by the roles we take
or the collective outcomes that emerge
when our efforts and beliefs collide.

Is it magic or tragic that we disagree?