We CAN Affect Change

With U.S. midterm elections just around the corner, many folks are wondering just how impactful their individual voice/actions can be. Many of us grew up being taught the axiom that “every vote matters,” but if we’re being honest, we don’t always act like this is true (just take a look at voter participation rates). So what’s the reality then… can a single metaphorical rock produce a much larger ripple effect, or is that phenomena restricted to a literal stone in a pond?

Being a part of a team like Cans For Kili is a reassuring and exciting reminder that what we were told as kids is true… we CAN make a difference! It’s easy to forget that this world is run by individual people who make decisions just like we do, but that’s the truth. We may click a button on our computer screen, and then like magic a package will arrive at our doorstep 2 days later, but at some point along the way another human helped make that delivery possible.

Raising 1.2 million cans to climb Mount Kilimanjaro may seem like the kind thing you read about in a story book, but in reality all it takes is strategy, hard work, and proper execution for a group of young people to make this happen. If you want to accomplish something, you need to start by doing it. That may sound like an oversimplification (or perhaps even nonsensical), but it’s true. The largest obstruction to achieving your dreams is believing it’s impossible and never starting on the road to success. It’s possible that you may fail in your pursuit, but you will never truly know if you don’t try, and there’s so much to be learned from a failed attempt.

Cans For Kili is more than just a recycling campaign or an international trip… it’s a testament to the power of individual action and the ability that a small hand-full of people has to make a huge difference in their community and around the world. If we can do it, then seriously, so can you. What are you passionate about? What’s something that you’ve always wanted to do? Take a moment and look at your surroundings, identify the resources at your disposal, and then start acting to make that dream a reality. Don’t put it off until tomorrow. Be willing to get uncomfortable and do something hard. It may seem unfortunate, but comfortably rarely leads to the outcome we desire. Truly great results are often as difficult as they are rare, and it’s our own decision to fight through the discomfort that has the power to change the tide. Had enough of my inspirational phrases? Then get off the internet and go make your bed or do the dishes. Find something productive to do and use the time to plot out your next adventure. You won’t regret it.

Thanks for reading, come back when you can’t stay as long,

The Comedian