How do you change the world at work, in your family, military, community or civilian career?

Semi-long answer to a short question: when I entered the field of Law Enforcement in 1974, my earnest desire was to "Save (read Change) The World," literally. I was the one police officer that was going to leave the biggest, positive mark on human history! So, in Kansas City, Missouri, I quickly earned the nickname of Crusader Rabbit! However, over the period of one very short year, my Pie-In-The-Sky focus went from the World to the Northern Hemisphere. From there, it was trimmed to the Western Hemisphere. Then to the North American continent. Followed by the United States. Missouri. Kansas City. Central Patrol Division. District 110. Car 114...which was driven by me. In one very short year that was FILLED with the very dark reality of the kind of challenge I was facing, combined with the rules and regs of the career path I had chosen, I came to the vividly inescapable conclusion that if I successfully worked my way through a thirty-odd-year career in law enforcement and I was able to truly save the life of just one single human being - whether it was in a medical emergency situation or it was actively helping some young person avoid a life of drugs, alcohol, or crime - then, my own life and my own career will have been worth it. I am proud to say I have no doubt that I helped save far more than one life, but I also believe that it might never have happened had I not realized early on, like I did, that my original goal was neither attainable nor realistic. Once my focus was drastically narrowed by all the natural limitations of life, in general, I became much more comfortable in my job and in the interactions I had with people whose pathways intersected with my own. That is the sole place and time where any of us can affect positive change - our own backyards.

My jobs gave me the chance to change the world for people. As a section commander, I saved a guy's marriage and maybe his career by forcing him into detox. At the VA, I was able to correct other people's mistakes and save veterans from financial ruin. As an enlisted man, I had a tiny part in keeping the red horde at bay. But most of all, somehow I managed to raise two kids to become really great, bright, healthy adults with exceptional moral character.