People often ask me, “What is with all of this change the world stuff Lori?” and
“You run a non-profit, right?”
The answer to these questions are simple.
No, I’m not running a non-profit and YES, you bet I want to change the world!
You see, ever since I was a little girl, I’ve felt a compelling sense of purpose. It might sound silly, but I shared Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream and belief, that all people are created equal.
After seeing the movements that MLK, Gandhi, and Malala Yousafzai have inspired, I believe without a doubt, one person’s influence really can change the world.
Perhaps if you’re reading this, you believe this too.
The way MLK used his influence, talents and knowledge for the greater good deeply inspired me and in the 40+ years I’ve been pursuing my own dreams, there is one dream of my own that has never wavered.
In fact, it’s no longer a dream, because I’ve made it a choice.
My dream, my choice, is to do everything in my power to use my influence for the greater good. To live in alignment with my purpose, completely committed to my values of love, justice and being of service to others.
I’ve had compassion for others who are different than me and I’ve been outraged by the unnecessary violence, ignorant hate and systemic poverty that plagues our world.
I probably should have majored in community or international development but as a first generation high school graduate, I barely knew how to fill out the college application, let alone choose the right major.
Throughout my career and life, finding meaning in my work and being of service has been the easy part.
Where I’ve struggled, is in building financial prosperity and feeling worthy of financial abundance.
I grew up in a middle-class, blue collar family. My mom worked early mornings and late nights as a city bus driver and was always sure to remind my sister and brother and I that money doesn’t grow on trees.
If we wanted something, we had to work hard for it. The world didn’t owe us anything. We had to earn it.
I’m thankful for the work ethic my mom instilled in me because it’s gotten me where I am today.
Still, I struggle with the message that I am only deserving of something if I work hard for it or earn it.
While I support a strong work ethic and believe that being in action is the only way to create prosperity, part of me has always struggled with feeling I have to prove my worth.
I often felt this way during my time as an educator and teacher.
“Work hard Lori.”
“Further educate yourself.”
“Earn good marks on your performance.”
“Play by the rules, do as we say,
”and ‘maybe’ then you’ll be rewarded for your work and service.”
It is this same “American Dream” mentality that makes people believe they are only worthy of being treated with dignity, compassion and love if they work hard and prove themselves worthy.
This is a stark contradiction to the whole purpose of education and sends a disempowering message to people, a message I can no longer support.
Regardless of your accomplishments, your bank account, your mistakes or achievements, as a member of the human race, YOU are worthy of having all you desire.
You are worthy of dignity, compassion and unconditional love.
I started the Greater Good Institute because I believe, there are many Martin Luther King Juniors in the world.
These are the change-makers I want to work with.
The change-makers, the idea creators, who when given the opportunity, will use their influence, talents and knowledge for the greater good.
At the Greater Good Institute, we believe that one person, one idea, one dream, really can change the world.
When this happens, when each and every one of us chooses to use our influence for the greater good, we will transform humanity, reclaim our planet and change the world as we know it.
This is my hope.
This is my mission.
This is MY dream.
From the snow-capped mountains of the Colorado Rockies,
To the heart of your inner most being
I ask you,
What’s your dream?
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