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I spend 95 percent of my time thing about myself anyway. I don't have to watch the evening news to see that the world is bad, I only have to look at myself. I am not browbeating myself here; I am only saying that true change, true life-giving, God-honoring change wound have to start with the individual. I was the very problem I had been protesting. I wanted to make a sign that read 'I AM THE PROBLEM.'

Don Miller#48

SpiritualitySelfChangeSelf reflectionAccountability

About this quote

What does it mean?
True change begins within the individual rather than external systems. Recognizing one's own flaws is necessary to stop protesting others.
In plain terms
Fix yourself before you try to fix the world.
What can you take from it?
Start personal change by admitting your own role in problems.

Where it applies

  • protesting societal issues
  • personal growth
  • spiritual journey

Putting it to work

  • journaling about biases
  • accepting fault
  • focusing on self-improvement

Questions to consider

  • What flaws do you project onto others?
  • How can you lead by changing yourself?

Another view

It overlooks systemic issues that individuals cannot solve alone.

More from Don Miller

  1. I think every conscious person, every person who is awake to the functioning principles within his reality, has a moment where he stops blaming the problems in…

    Permalink to quote #47
  2. I went there to try to get my head around this idea, this idea that the problem in the universe lives within me. I can't think of anything more progressive tha…

    Permalink to quote #49
  3. I honestly don't believe we will be solving the greater human conflict with our efforts. The problem is not a certain type of legislation or even a certain pol…

    Permalink to quote #46

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