There are so many irregularities that an individual may desire to positively change in the environment. All humans have the capacity to change things for the better. The old school of thought, as understood by the so-called revolutionaries, is to initiate the armed struggle. Unfortunately, that method is not influencing anyone, but forcing one’s desires onto those not subscribing to one’s beliefs.
The glaring failures of using armed struggle as vehicle for change are manifest in our Zimbabwean scenario. Some people who participated in the armed struggle have simply succumbed to become oppressors themselves. This prompts the next generations to then seek to repeat the cycle over and over again, leaving no room for positive development.
The circus repeats itself, whether the initiators of those revolutions remain alive, or nature calls for their demise. The spirit of armed struggle, customized as the only vehicle for change, grips generations, and becomes the norm. This reflects nations reeling under a curse. The glaring truth is that, with the spirit of armed struggle, what is desired can never be achieved.
As a tool to influence change, religion is also similarly unworkable. Those joining religion feel comfortable, but the environment remains with negative effects. While appealing to most people, as opposed to armed struggle, religion does not provide universal solutions. Its purpose is to protect its membership, making it difficult for outsiders to participate and receive similar benefits.
The most appealing example is the story of the Israelites, who, with their religion appeared protected. However, their backsliding was mostly influenced by other nations who did not have the privileges enshrined in the Israelites religion. Both the armed struggle and religion regurgitate the status quo, leaving no hope for future positive development.
Jesus gave a parable typified in yeast, as a leavening agent, affecting large quantities of dough. Though small in quantities, the yeast quietly affects the entire batch by leavening it. The agents of change can also similarly apply leavening principles, to effect change in their own circumstances. Below are characteristics of yeast, as also applicable to the agents of change.
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The yeast looks harmless. The dough can never suspect yeast to be threatening, as nothing appears different from the flour. The agent of change is free to associate with those intended to be changed, without posing any threat against them.
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The yeast works quietly. The dough never suspects that it got influenced by the existent yeast, when fully leavened. The agent of change does not take credit for influencing change among those targeted for transformation. When done properly, those influenced to change can actually credit themselves, instead.
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The yeast does not change to become dough. Regardless of the quantities of dough, yeast can never change to become dough. It is the dough that becomes leavened, instead. The true agents of change are focused towards the goal of implementing change without conforming. They influence change, because of the attractive benefits inherent with purpose for change. Those being changed simply appreciate being leavened.
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The yeast expands under pressure. One of the purposes of yeast is to cause the dough to puff up, when heated. The agent of change becomes more effective and expands where there is pressure. An agent of change cannot be intimidated into ineffective silence. The more he/she is under pressure of opposition, the more effective he/she becomes in effecting change.
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Yeast is useless in its own package. Without anything to leaven, yeast is useless, as its role is basically, to leaven the dough. If the agents of change prefer to do nothing, they never change anything. They need to associate with those in need of change, so as to influence them. Otherwise they remain irrelevant.