Change it Anyway (Poem)

Change it Anyway

Changing systems can be frustrating, confusing
and time consuming;
Strive to change them anyway.

If you speak out for change,
they may accuse you of being self-serving;
Speak out anyway.

If you make changes that work,
they may pretend to be an ally or persist with attacks;
Make change anyway.

If you make honest attempts at change,
they may undermine your efforts;
Attempt change anyway.

What you spend years developing,
they may undo overnight;
Develop it anyway.

If your innovations are successful,
they may be jealous;
Innovate anyway.

The progress you achieve today,
they may forget tomorrow;
Make progress anyway.

Create positive change the best that you can,
and it may never be enough;
Give it the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis,
it is between you and the person relying on the system;
It was never between you and them anyway.

This is dedicated to all those involved in changing human service systems to work better for people that rely on them for support. Adapted by Michael Steinbruck from The Paradoxical Commandments by Kent M. Keith and Do it Anyway by Mother Theresa.