The daily news of destruction, deceit and death can dishearten us: “In this big bad world, I am so tiny; I can’t make any difference.”

Actually, we can – provided we understand our place and purpose in the world. 

Gita wisdom states that we are not the world’s problem-solver – we are parts of the ultimate problem-solver, Krishna  (Bhagavad-gita 15.07). This implies that we haven’t been tasked with the responsibility to solve the world’s problems; we are tasked only with the responsibility to play our part in a mood of service to Krishna. Once we appreciate our foundational purpose, we connect devotionally with him. By that connection, we gain strength to resist the wild whims of our mind and senses, which can otherwise get us into big trouble. In fact, the world’s problems frequently originate in people who are misled by their mind and senses. 

Moreover, when we choose to connect with Krishna, we evolve spiritually, growing in our capacity to learn and love. Thereby, we become more equipped to make overall better choices. Thus, even if whatever we do seems insignificant, our better choices have at least one significant effect: they make us better.  

When we focus on self-improvement instead of world-improvement, are we being self-centered? Not if our intent is to change the world by changing that aspect of the world over which we have the most control: we ourselves. 

Additionally, while we play our worldly roles in devotional consciousness as Krishna’s parts, he may empower us to make a bigger difference than what was possible with our under-evolved consciousness. 

When we thus understand that our choices matter, we determinedly make the choices that first make us better and second make us better positioned to make the world better. 

 

Think it over:

  • With regard to solving the world’s problems, what is our place and purpose in the world?
  • How does connecting with Krishna make us better?
  • While focusing on improving ourselves, how can we not be self-centered? 

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