Values

We come to value things in our lives based upon the inspiration we feel towards them through personal interaction.  I know that is one of the most vague/cheesy statements one can make, but everyone is different and has come to value different things in life based on what has made an impact on them.  Moreover, this is a lifelong process and one's values change as they experience more that matters to them.  I feel like this is an important addition to merely experiencing something because many people experience similar things, but have different beliefs.  For example many people are raised in privileged environments and some come to appreciate the things around them, while others don't and take everything for granted.  The cause behind this phenomena bewilders me, but someday I hope to do the right things with my children that will encourage them to respect and appreciate their surroundings. 

I feel that much of what we value comes from what our family has taught us.  Fortunately, I had great parents who loved, cared, and taught me moral values.  However, others are not as lucky and must look elsewhere for "family".  These mentoring figures can range from mostly positive influences such as church groups and athletic coaches to gangs, where values taught are bad (for lack of a better word).  Values can change over time, but they are first learned at a young age.

The best way to ensure that we are spending times on the things we value is to write down our ideal actions that are congruent with the things that we value in our planner or google calendar.  For example, physically seeing "call parents" once a week in my planner is that extra reminder that forces me to take action.  Albeit, sometimes just for the satisfaction of checking it off but in the end I am always happy that I did.  It is also important to reflect back on your actions and see if your values have changed as a result of them.

Change Agents

I think the most important C to keep in mind when acting as a change agent is Collaboration.  This is with the assumption that a change agent already has the commitment necessary to make social happen occur.  Simply put, relationships and networks are vital to success in the real world, especially when striving to achieve social change which is so vast in it's nature.  As a change agent, focusing on collaboration puts you in win-win scenarios and allows others to become personally vested in your common goal because you have put personal agendas aside and people will recognize that.  Collaboration also implies openness and trusting relationships, which are again important for others to buy into the common purpose.  Last, collaboration creates an environment where a diverse set of ideas are discussed and implemented.

I also believe that Commitment is the biggest challenge to becoming a change agent.  By definition of "doing what you say you will do", it sounds like the simplest C in nature to perform, but is most often not upheld.  This fact of life is true because commitment takes a devotion of time and energy, which are a limited resource especially in the life of a college student.  We are constantly bombarded by friends, professors, parents, and classmates with new plans, ideas, and demands.  And as someone who strives to be a change agent, it is often hard to say "no", but sometimes it is beneficial to step back and think about what commitments you have made so far and how you can manage them.  It is important to note that this is a fine line though because sometimes you have to fail and learn from of it.  One should never be afraid to take on new challenges, but they just need to make sure that they stay committed to goals already made.

I believe that anyone can become a change agent as long as they commit to lifelong learning of the social change model.