Creating Real Change

There are people in our lives whom we would love to change. Some of these people challenge us greatly and anger us, and some we even love. We often take on a personal mission to change and help certain people in our life to feel like we are doing some good in the world. We spend enormous amounts of energy, and often sacrifice parts of ourselves, in order to to change these people. We don't see how this effort is sucking and draining our energy, our spirit. The unfortunate reality is, we cannot change people, and there are many people whom we cannot reach or influence in this lifetime. In order to change, the person himself/herself has to want to change. Most people we want to change do not want to change. This is one of the most difficult lessons to learn in life.
In order to create real change in the world, we need to continue working in our life purpose, but reaching for those who are open to us, who are reachable. We can and should love everyone, but there are many people whom we must love from a distance. Those who challenge us greatly should be accepted for who they are and simply let go. We must spend our time with like-minded people, coming together to form stronger connections and stronger forces in the world to make a positive difference. It can be hard to give up our personal mission to change them and help them. But we must do it. We must let go and turn our energy and focus to those who are open, those with whom we can share our authentic and whole selves, those who energize us, and those who will help us grow toward what and who we long to become.