Leo Tolstoy, author of 'War and Peace', wrote: "Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no-one thinks of changing himself." There's a lot of truth in that. So often our focus is directed outwards -- there's always stuff in the environment around us that needs "fixing", isn't there? But if you truly wish to change something, first turn your gaze inward and consider what you need to work on within yourself.

Change begins from within...
The Chinese philosopher, Confucius, was very specific about the importance of doing this:

To put the world in order, we must first put the nation in order;
to put the nation in order, we must put the family in order;
to put the family in order, we must cultivate our personal life;
and to cultivate our personal life, we must first set our hearts right.

It makes sense to start with yourself when seeking to effect any change, because the way you are within, and how you live and interact with others, impacts on everything and everyone around you. It's too much for any of us to conceptualise single-handedly changing the entire world anyway, because every other individual on the planet is co-creating it along with us. But it IS realistic to accept responsibility for our own experience of the world and appreciate that, in the greater scheme of things, we're all interconnected.

A heart-centred life...
So what does it mean to "set our hearts right"? Quite simply, I think this means to lead a heart-centred life -- to be loving towards yourself and to those around you, and to treat others the way you would want to be treated. This is also about expressing what's in your heart -- being true to your self, by finding and following your purpose in life.

Antoine de Saint-Exupery, author of 'The Little Prince', summed it up beautifully: "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye." Too often we get caught up in things that aren't really important -- all the complicated drama and minutiae of daily life. But if you go inward, and gently hold your awareness in the centre of your chest, your heart centre, you will find that you are able to cut through to what really matters. The heart is the guide to truth.

Guidance from the heart...
Today, take some time out to listen to your heart... Find a comfortable place where you won't be disturbed. Sit or lie down, close your eyes, breathe deeply and allow yourself to completely relax.

Visualise a golden ball of light in the centre of your chest, in the centre of your heart. Enjoy the feeling of holding this warm, loving energy there. Now, imagine this golden light gently burning through all negative thoughts and feelings, lovingly and effortlessly dissolving all obstacles and blockages...

Visualise that this golden light is radiating out from your heart and flowing throughout your body, aligning your entire being with the loving energy of your heart. Now seek the guidance of your heart: Ask, what message do you have for me now? What do I need to change within myself? Then, simply allow the answer to come to you in the perfect way and at the perfect time.

Repeat this exercise any time you feel you need to connect with the voice of your heart. As you go about your day, you may wish to use this affirmation, to support your expression of your inner guidance:

Infinite Spirit knows my heart's desires.
Infinite Spirit clears all obstacles from my path to bring my heart's desire to me now.

By following the guidance of your heart, not only will you change yourself -- you may even change the world.