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The Mission Statement That Changed The World

mission statement, peace, GandhiDr. Stephen R. Covey was asked to talk about one of his personal heroes, and brought up Mahatma Gandhi’s personal mission statement:

“Let the first act of every morning be to make the following resolve for the day:
  • I shall not fear anyone on Earth.
  • I shall fear only God.
  • I shall not bear ill will toward anyone.
  • I shall not submit to injustice from anyone.
  • I shall conquer untruth by truth. And in resisting untruth, I shall put up with all suffering.”
Gandhi held no formal authority -- no position. Yet because he had moral authority, he had influence. Gandhi changed the lives of over 300 million people using his moral authority.

Gandhi also created the alternative of non-violent action. He did not run away, and he did not fight, as most people do. Instead, Gandhi worked within himself until he won the private victory and learned the philosophy of his life. Non-violent action; a third alternative.

Sources:

Dr. Mercola''s Comments Dr. Mercola's Comments:

Gandhi is one of my heroes. His message of nonviolence and his courage to stand by his conviction despite virtually impossible circumstances is quite an example to follow. 

Yet, Gandhi’s mission statement is based entirely on the moral authority of one man -- no hidden agendas, no ulterior motives, just the desire to receive the justice he knew in his heart he deserved.

And this statement, combined with the beliefs behind it, moved the hearts of hundreds of millions of people -- despite the fact that it came from a man with no formal authority whatsoever.

What is YOUR Mission Statement?

Notice that all of Gandhi’s resolutions begin with the word “I,” which is an excellent reminder that you only have control over yourself, right now in this moment. If you focus your intentions on something that YOU can change, you will likely be successful. But if you focus on wanting to change the behaviors of others, your efforts may fall on deaf ears.

My personal mission is to catalyze a transformation in the way health care alternatives are provided to the population.

It will be impossible to identify who or what group will be responsible for this inevitable change, but to me that is a moot issue. The central challenge is to facilitate the change. It is clear to me that this will occur with the collaborative efforts of like-minded individuals. 

In the past year I have connected with two health warriors who each have organizations that are five to eight times larger than Mercola.com. It has become increasingly clear to me that more of my work needs to be directed in this area so we can merge forces that effectively address the multinational drug giants.

It is clear, however, that progress is being made. With the help of this newsletter and readers like you, increasing numbers of people are seeking, and finding, the truth about health, and are standing up against the untruths that are still so widespread.

Yes, we are well on our way. You see, it only takes 10 percent of the public to be conscious of the truth, as once that level is reached it will tend to spread like wildfire through the population. Once that percentage of people know the truth, change is inevitable and unstoppable..

And as Gandhi said, "In a gentle way you can shake the world."

And that is just what is happening as millions of people around the world make the decision to take control of their health.

But I would like to ask you, what is your personal mission statement?

Please do feel free to share it with the Vital Votes community below.

As Gandhi’s example has shown so well, all it takes for a mission statement to be successful is a dedicated believer behind it. So put your own beliefs and passions down on paper, and make that your personal code to live by.


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Comment on This Article Community Comments (70)
 
 
Posted On Mar 17, 2008
 "You must be the change you wish to see in the world" ~Mahatma Gandhi

 
HealthCoachSandraG
Apprentice User Apprentice User, Joined On 3/2008
HealthCoachSandraG  
Replied

lively
Novice User Novice User Joined On 12/2006
lively  
 
Posted On Mar 20, 2008

WHITEWASH!



Change
the world, indeed! Gandhi was the racist

pointman who helped amalgamate India in readiness for UN (UNelected)

global governance.




Gandhi
was all for “purity of type”. Think -- eugenics, total DNA

databases, mandatory vaccinations... hmm...



The
Myth of Mahatma Gandhi


http://www.howcomyoucom.com/articles/nov282000.htm

Laughter

the best medicine?
An old article about

the bulge in Gandhi's loin cloth and his subsequent demise:


http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-5167040.html






seg
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 11/2006
seg  
 
Posted On Mar 20, 2008
Irregardless of all the good someone does, it's amazing how some people are always ready to find faults, discredit and put you down...Me personally i try to look at the good things people do and build from that, (not saying turning a blind eye against the ill things they do) because you know what, WE ARE ALL WITH SIN, NOT ONE OF US IS PERFECT.......

Let those amongst you who are free of sin cast the first stone !!!!!!!!!!!


rajsanand
Novice User Novice User Joined On 11/2007
rajsanand  
 
Posted On Apr 03, 2008

Lively, you are ignorant that is all I can say.

This is a mudslinging attempt by BJP and RSS political parties in India.

You are actually believing what someone is writing. Anyone has the right to write anything.

I dont know if you are a fan or Mercola.com or you just come here as a troll.(dont take it personally I am not accusing, I am only reasoning). Because if you really are a fan of mercola then you should know that there are many articles that "badmouth" Dr. Mercola on the internet. Would you believe that?? Not only Dr. Mercola but other health advocists and many others who are fighting for our "freedom".(like Vandana Shiva who is against GM).

I will give you some knowledge. Nathuram Ghodse killed Gandhi. He was RSS member. RSS is a sort of Predeccesor to the BJP party(current opposition in India) The congress party hijacked Gandhis name(indira Gandhi, and now Sonia Gandhi). They are not descendants of Gandhi at all , but many ignorant ppl believe that and that is why they get votes.

Now during the many elections issue raised, the BJP party exposed the Congress Dyansty, i.e. how Nehru(first prime minister of India) was never a freedom fighter and how is father had "contacts" in the British Empire.

The Congress also went back in History and accused the RSS of killing Gandhi.(just like many blame jews or Romans for the death of jesus) BJP tried to defend themselves. Gandhi assasin was a misled and confused man and many believe he was brainwashed to kill Gandhi as Gandhi would have changed this country.(as it was going to the dogs and is still).

When they could not defend themselves they launched a mudslinging campaign against Gandhi. It has been around 20 years since this campaign was launched. Earlier generation(mine and my fathers...I am 31 btw) never believed it. Cause my fathers generation were alive. But many ignorant people in mine generation and current generation believed this lies. Be careful what you believe and dont be misled to hate sucha great man



LadyPam
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 2/2008
LadyPam  
 
Posted On Apr 03, 2008

Absolutely! BE it, don't dream it.

I've been a fan of Mohandas Ghandi ever since I learned about him and his teachings.  However, I'd like to point out that he himself didn't want the title 'Mahatma' (which means great spirit or great soul). Probably because of his humility. We all have something to learn from him.



lively
Novice User Novice User Joined On 12/2006
lively  
 
Posted On Apr 06, 2008

Perhaps the main article should be given in full.

Quote PART ONE:

GANDHI WAS LOYAL TO IMPERIALISM

By Velu Annamalai, Ph.D.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. might have heard the word of non-violence from Gandhi, but it is certain that Dr. King did not know the true colors of Mr. Gandhi.

From the beginning to the end, M.K. Gandhi was loyal to imperialism. The Western news media and their Indian allies by a massive propaganda exercise created the illusion of sainthood around Gandhi and made people believe that he fought Apartheid in South Africa, and in the process of doing so developed a new method of non-violent struggle called satyagraha.

Nothing is farther from the truth. Gandhi, for the major part of his life, worshipped British imperialism and too often proudly proclaimed himself a lover of the Empire. He was Kipling's Gunga Din in flesh and blood.

To understand Gandhi's politics in South Africa, it is essential to note the three fundamental trends which all along persisted underneath all his activities. They were:

(1) his loyalty to the British Empire,

(2) his apathy with regard to the Indian "lower castes", India's indigenous population, and

(3) his virulent anti-African racism.

Gandhi was once thrown out of a train compartment which was reserved exclusively for the Whites. It was not that Gandhi was fighting on behalf of the local Africans that he broke the rule in getting into a Whites' compartment. No! that was not the reason. Gandhi was so furious that he and his merchant caste Indians (Banias) were treated on par with the local Africans. This is the real reason for his fighting race discrimination in South Africa, and he had absolutely no concern about the pitiable way the Africans were treated by the Whites.

On June 2, 1906 he commented in the Indian Opinion that "Thanks to the Court's decision, only clean Indians (meaning upper caste Hindu Indians) or colored people other than Kaffirs, can now travel in the trains."



lively
Novice User Novice User Joined On 12/2006
lively  
 
Posted On Apr 06, 2008

Quote, PART TWO:

During the `Kaffir Wars' in South Africa he was a regular Gunga Din, who volunteered to organize a brigade of Indians to put down the Zulu uprising and was decorated himself for valor under fire.

Gandhi said on September 26, 1896 about the African people:

"Ours is one continued struggle sought to be inflicted upon us by the Europeans, who desire to degrade us to the level of the raw Kaffir, whose occupation is hunting and whose sole ambition is to collect a certain number of cattle to buy a wife, and then pass his life in indolence and nakedness."

Again in an editorial on the Natal Municipal Corporation Bill, in the Indian Opinion of March 18, 1905, Gandhi wrote: "Clause 200 makes provision for registration of persons belonging to uncivilized races (meaning the local Africans), resident and employed within the Borough. One can understand the necessity of registration of Kaffirs who will not work, but why should registration be required for indentured Indians...?" Again on September 9, 1905, Gandhi wrote about the local Africans as: "in the majority of cases it compels the native to work for at least a few days a year" (meaning that the locals are lazy).

Nothing could be farther from the truth that Gandhi fought against Apartheid, which many propagandists in later years wanted people to believe. He was all in favor of continuation of White domination and the oppression of Blacks in South Africa.

In the Indian Opinion of March 25, 1905, Gandhi wrote on a Bill regulating firearms: "In the instance of firearms, the Asiatic has been most improperly bracketed with the natives. The British Indian does not need any such restrictions as are imposed by the Bill on the natives regarding the carrying of fire-arms. The prominent race can remain so by preventing the native from arming himself. Is there the slightest vestige of justification for so preventing the British Indians?"



lively
Novice User Novice User Joined On 12/2006
lively  
 
Posted On Apr 06, 2008

Quote, PART THREE:

Gandhi always advised Indians not to align with other political groups in either colored or African communities. He was strongly opposed to the commingling of races. In the Indian Opinion of September 4, 1904, Gandhi wrote: "Under my suggestion, the Town Council (of Johannesburg) must withdraw the Kaffirs from the Location. About this mixing of the Kaffirs with the Indians, I must confess I feel most strongly. It think it is very unfair to the Indian population, and it is an undue tax on even the proverbial patience of my countrymen."

In the Indian Opinion of September 24, 1903, Gandhi said: "We believe as much in the purity of races as we think they (the Whites) do...by advocating the purity of all races."

Again on December 24, 1903, in the Indian Opinion Gandhi stated that: "so far as British Indians are concerned, such a thing is particularly unknown. If there is one thing which the Indian cherishes more than any other, it is purity of type."

When he was fighting on behalf of Indians, he was not fighting for all the Indians, but only for his rich merchant class upper caste Hindus!

In the Anglo-Boer War of 1899, Gandhi, in spite of his own belief that truth was on the side of the Boers, formed an ambulance unit in support of the British forces. He was very earnest about taking up arms and laying down his life for his beloved Queen. He led his men on to the battlefield and received a War Medal.

Gandhi joined in the orgy of Zulu slaughter when the Bambata Rebellion broke out. One needs to read the entire history of Bambata Rebellion to place Gandhi's nazi war crimes in its proper perspective.


 
 
 
Posted On Mar 14, 2008
If everybody lived by Mahatma Gandhi's mission statement the world would be a much better place. " Fear not those who can kill the Body, but rather fear those who can kill body and Soul."  Paraphrased from one of Paul's Epistles.

Mary

 
mmc88121
Moderator User Moderator User, Joined On 11/2006
mmc88121  
 
 
 
Posted On Apr 03, 2008

My personal mission statement is as follows...

Don’t let a day go to waste – everyday presents opportunities to learn and I was born to seize them. Be studious and industrious.

Love myself – treat my body like a rare gift: give it exercise and nourish it everyday. Challenge my mind. Behave in ways that honor my spirit by acting from a place of truth, open-minded curiosity and kindness.

Recognize everyone possesses this gift of body and spirit and respect others as deeply as I do myself.

Tread lightly. Do no harm. Leave the tiny sliver of world that surrounds me slightly better today than it was yesterday.


 
wenrl
Novice User Novice User, Joined On 8/2007
wenrl  
 
 
 
Posted On Mar 18, 2008
Great guy, did you know he overcame extreme shyness. 
Every thing we do, say or think creates our reality. 
The only thing I have trouble with in the statement in the mantra is the fearing God bit....  If the 'I am' within us is god then why fear it?  Vindictive male god image seems to be man made for control over masses. Non judgmental and non sexual, creative, loving energy more appropriate these days if we are going to grow and mature into 'its/this' image.
 

 
Goji
Apprentice User Apprentice User, Joined On 4/2007
Goji  
Replied

Charisse
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 10/2007
Charisse  
 
Posted On Mar 18, 2008
I totally agree with you!


rajsanand
Novice User Novice User Joined On 11/2007
rajsanand  
 
Posted On Apr 03, 2008

The fear part is much deeper that it appears. Infact you explained it your self.

You said that "I am" and Within us is god.

Fearing god is we should fear, the act of sinning against our own conscience.

This "fear" is more better understood my a theory of the Father, Son  and the Holy Spirit, in Christianity.

They say that if you sin against "The father" you will  be forgiven, if you sin against the "son" you will be forgiven, but if you sing against the Holy spirit, You will not be forgiven. And we all made to fear the Holy Spirit(and some call it the ghost just to make it more fearful).

But in fact the "spirit" is US. What is spirituality. It is nothing but knowing your own spirit. And it is right you can never be forgiven if you sin against yourself.



imwoman
Novice User Novice User Joined On 11/2006
imwoman  
 
Posted On Apr 03, 2008

Goji...that "fear god" thing stopped me, too.  fear is mind-made.  "purpose" is explained extremely well in eckhart tolle's book "a new earth".  talk about changing the world!



zzhumphreyt
Novice User Novice User Joined On 10/2007
zzhumphreyt  
 
Posted On Apr 03, 2008

rajsanand, couldn't someone forgive themselves if they "sin" against themselves?

I do agree with you Goji about not fearing God.


 
 
 
Posted On Apr 03, 2008

This should frost some agates: After reading these posts and from past experience it seems to me that what Christians fear most is being wrong about their belief system. There appears to be a bit of anger and self-righteousness in their statements. Expressing love for others, not so much. I believe that Jesus (not Christ; he was a different person. Do some research) once said: "Every man is my teacher." He taught of peace and love of each other as well. He had a lot of good to say. Kinda like Ghandi. But it doesn't seem he beat down everyone's throat. People were left with a choice. I was raised in a Christian household and have since followed a different path that I find more spiritually refreshing and logical. I take responsibility for my own actions and deal with the consequences as an adult. And I forgive myself as well as others. Another part of this path is tolerance and respect of all religions without telling everyone around me why my choice is the right choice. I have, however, studied many religions and learned from all of them. Funny thing: I can apply the best of each (in my opinion) to my mission statement and never fear burning in Hell. Brightest Blessings.


 
nonothing
Novice User Novice User, Joined On 4/2008
nonothing  
Replied

marky56
Novice User Novice User Joined On 11/2007
marky56  
 
Posted On Apr 08, 2008

"...Jesus (christ was a different person..."?  christ means the Messiah. Jesus name in Hebrew is Yeshua. You make an outrageous claim and then claim not to judge other religions. Hypocrite.



swelpy
Novice User Novice User Joined On 6/2006
swelpy  
 
Posted On Apr 25, 2008

MAN made religions whether it be Hindu,Muslim,CHRISTIAN,are the root of ALL evil and should be seen as such and avoided like the plague!!!


 
 
 
 
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