Top 10 Reasons to Become a New Radical

[This is a refreshed repeat of one of Julia's most popular posts.]

When I was writing my book about New Radicals (that is, people like you and me who've found ways to leverage skills acquired in our careers and put them to work on the world's greatest challenges [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/julia-moulden/]), I asked everyone I interviewed to imagine sitting down with readers over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. And I asked these pioneers what they would say to people who are considering becoming New Radicals.

As you can imagine, their responses covered a broad spectrum of ideas and emotions. Yet, they also spoke with one voice, like an opera chorus, using the Nike tagline that got this generation off the couch once before, "Just do it!" They hope, as I do, that their stories will awaken you to the power within.

1. You will change someone's life.
"When I told the women in this village [ed: a small town outside Kigali, Rwanda] I would return in April, they were happy. I heard later that they didn't believe me, saying to one another, 'Why would she leave a rich and beautiful country to come and help strangers?' When I came back, there were tears. It was so important to me to return in April, you see, so that they knew something good could happen in that month." -- Nicole Pageau, Ubuntu Edmonton http://ubuntuedmonton.org/

2. You will change your own life.
"I got an injection of energy and excitement about my ability to contribute to the world. It was incredibly scary to let go, but it was also incredibly freeing. And I have not been this happy in years." -- Melissa Dyrdahl, Bring Light http://www.bringlight.com/

3. Your skills are needed.
"I can't think of any social cause that will say, 'That's it, we're done!' Everyone is toiling away at the things they care about. And there's always room for more people." -- Suzanne Seggerman, Games for Change http://gamesforchange.org/

4. You will discover the power of synchronicity.
"I don't know how the universe works, and I'm not a scientist, but there's no doubt in my mind that there are lots of synchronicities at work. The universe waits for you to say, 'I'm ready!' And when you've made the internal commitment, the universe, whatever it is, just delivers. It's extraordinary. But, it takes that deep, courageous moment, or series of moments." -- Mark Brayne http://braynework.com/default.aspx, http://dartcenter.org/

5. Your view of the world will change.
"What I've learned from our alumni is the truly extraordinary impact they have on their kids' lives. It's funny, but it's fueled by a sense of dissatisfaction at the same time. On the one hand, it's possible to achieve, and on the other, we still have so far to go to reach the point where all of our teachers attain that level of success with their children, and ultimately, where the entire education system does, too. I've moved from having an idea that the world could be different, to realizing that not only should it, but that it really could." -- Wendy Kopp, Teach for America http://www.teachforamerica.com/

6. You will influence those around you.
"This work has been a great example to my kids. My son, who is in university, is becoming interested in international affairs and is learning about the inequities between rich and poor countries. And he feels that social awareness has been in our family since he was a little boy, but now it's nice to be able to deliver on it, in terms of true on-the-ground activism. I can actually demonstrate how a bunch of people like me made a difference in this community." -- Tony Leighton, Guelph Civic League http://guelphcivicleague.ca/

7. You will meet exceptional people.
"A fascinating by-product that I didn't expect is that when you do this work, you start to meet really interesting people. I've developed a new network of friends. My personal life's gotten much better, and they are exactly the kind of people I want to develop this new venture with, as well." -- Ron Dembo, Zerofootprint http://zerofootprint.net/

8. You will feel connected to something bigger.
"There are a lot of people out there who are disadvantaged and, you know, I could have been one. It's so important to help one another. I have friends who have all the material things in life, but aren't happy. I tell that they'll be amazed at what happens if they spend just one day a week helping someone in need." -- Paul Gillespie, Kids' Internet Safety Alliance http://kinsa.net

9. You will play a part in saving the world.
"I've seen kids in refugee camps move from apathy and violence to happiness and hope for the future. They become children again." -- Johann Koss, Right to Play http://www.righttoplay.com/site/PageServer

10. You will die happy.
"I think the worst thing in the world is to be lying on your death bed saying, 'I wish I had tried." Putting yourself out there, and giving yourself the opportunity to do some good, is noble in its own right. The other thing I tell people is that with the traditional career arc, the more money we make, the more we buy, and the more we make to keep feeding those things. In the process, we forget that we're not any happier, and maybe less so. To my m9ind, it's better to live 24 hours a day meaningfully rather than just the hours when you're not at work." -- Kevin Salwen, Motto Magazine http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWPGbr18OlY

Do you agree with what these New Radicals say? What would your top reason(s) be? Please share your thoughts with us by commenting below, or email me directly at [e-mail].

Comments

[vlz]

Julia, thank you for reprising this inspiring piece. Earlier this year, you also showcased an initiative by one of the groups mentioned here - the Kids' Internet Safety Alliance (KINSA). The initiative was downloadable comic book on online safety that families, kids and teachers could all share. Just before the holidays, KINSA released a French version of the publication, and it's now available here:

http://www.kinsa.net/Programs/Category/Program/?contentId=136

[Anne Naylor - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you, Julia. I really appreciate your article and the inspiration you offer.

I love that we are free to choose the lives we want to lead; that no matter what we are reading in the news, not only do we not need to be discouraged by it but that we can step forward to "right the wrongs" we may be perceiving. This is truly a remarkable age in which we are living. I find it thrilling and love to hear how others are making their differences towards a richer and more fulfilling life experience.

Many blessings of Light to all New Radicals in 2009!

Anne

[Promise]

Thanks for an inspiring article! I rather like the term New Radical, maybe because I lived through the 60's when "radical" was the thing to be. Remember the term "Radical Chic?" It certainly has more punch and glamour than "volunteer." It reminded me, too, of the term "Cultural Creative" from the book "The Cultural Creatives: How 50 Million People are Changing the World" by Paul Ray and Sherry Ruth Anderson. When I checked out the review of this book on Amazon, I found links to a number of other similarly inspiring books. "What America Could be in the 21st Century" edited by Marianne Williamson sounds good. There are others that sound wonderful, too.

I'm also going to check out the links you gave. Thanks, again, for the inspiration!

[marleysghost]

Do everything you can to enhance your own abilities and learn to integrate your life and work skills. Sitting still hoping for the best is futile. Change direction. Invest in others. Invest in yourself. Try something new. Change is good. Embrace it.

[newradjulia]

Please download chapter one of my book to get a better sense of what makes these Radicals New [http://www.wearethenewradicals.com]. It's free.

What the world needs now is radically different ways of thinking about and tackling what ails us. New Radicals are not sitting back and waiting for someone else to fix the world's problems (or attacking/shaming/blaming -- the "old radical" route). They're getting involved in positive, constructive, and hopeful ways. They believe in the power of dialogue. The pull of vision. And in the ability of each of us to make a difference.

Here's to a refreshed way of living together on this planet in 2009 and beyond.

[dryrock]

I discovered the points you enumerated when I started volunteering. I know it sounds trite... but it evolved into a need for me - to have contact with new people and ideas, and do a little something to help good people in difficult circumstances.

I'm in a different city now, doing a different kind of volunteering. And I still hear from the first place and the friends I made there years ago.

[Scarabus]

Don't shoot the messenger! :-)

I know a lot of students and adults who would embrace these affirmations but would be scared away by the big bad word "radical."

Any suggestions?

[LaHenche]

How about "Futurists" or better yet, "The New Realists".

Bottom line, charity is the currency of the future. It's not how much you have, but what you have to share.

[DebraCraig]

I'm so glad you brought up this point about being labeled a "radical." Under Julia's definition, I guess I am a "New Radical" because I so desperately want to change our public education system and am working hard to do so in subtle, but I hope, effective ways. While I am passionate about my cause, I am very uncomfortable being called a "radical." I often overlook her articles because I just don't see myself as a " new radical."

Personally, I like to think of myself as a "visionary," using this definition: a tenacious person with unusually keen foresight who works hard in accomplishing goals that will be of great benefit to society.

[RaeDae]

How about Agent of Change? As in Agent of Social Change, etc.?

(Of course, I know all change is not necessarily good, but "Agent of Positive Social Change" could get unwieldy.)

This has been the year of change, so anything with "Change" in the title will definitely have an appeal at this time.