[Of those who help society change for the better.]

The transformations of life can be so profound at times that many years after a life change we may look at ourselves in the mirror and see a completely different person. Depending on how we responded to situations in our life, our transitions toward the new perspective and transformation into that new person are varied. This is because we are human and each person deals with the stresses of life in different ways. A transformation can take time or it may happen overnight. When put in a stressful situation, some of us run, others fight, and still others change into another person completely.

Our lives are unique and we are the artists. We paint what we see. If we grew up in restricted environments, we painted our world according to what we saw and knew early in life. If we grew up in loving homes, we learned to embrace that beauty. We are the artists and we can always choose to paint a different picture Ð dark to light Ð always. There is always an opportunity to take a more positive and ethical path, one that really resonates with the truth of what we are.

Transformations are taking place everywhere right now. The media are showing us the truth about our environment and even our healthcare system is having real transformations. These changes have been slowly arriving over the last fifty years. Trickle by trickle the knowledge seeps into mainstream worldviews and it is then that the changes happen. You may be a step ahead by ten, twenty, or even thirty years. Be proud of helping move the human race forward. It is you who allows others to begin painting the world they see with beautiful colors.

The recent very important events with Coronet Industries has shown that public consciousness and determination can actually influence even the media. Coronet Industries is a phosphate plant located in Plant City, Florida. Unfortunately, waste produced by this plant has seeped into the ground water. This has actually affected the drinking and bathing water of many people in the Plant City local community surrounding Coronet’s aging factory. Only recently did families begin to realize that they were getting strange and frequent occurrences of cancer, among other unusual illnesses. A woman in the community, whose child has developmental problems, began to search and question why. She contacted a famous woman (whose story starred Julia Roberts as “Erin Brockovich”) and her law firm is now participating in an investigation of Coronet Industries.

Right now several families in Plant City are involved in a growing class action lawsuit and success is on the horizon. Many lives in Plant City were lost before an entire community stood up with all their questions and finally instigated an investigation into the groundwater contamination problem. A number of families are not even allowed to drink their well water now.

This investigation has begun the transformation of Plant City society on a very personal level. Most intelligent people in the local area are rightfully concerned. Many people are beginning to see how this ecological disaster happened before their eyes and, as a result, have become more aware of their own power to create change. The people of this community now know that they have the capability to see that environmental regulations are enforced. Speaking up and having their voices heard on the evening news helped create this transformation.

We really owe thanks to the many people who have helped change society for the better through their own realizations and personal experiences. We can actively help the transition of our society by influencing people on a personal level Ð by teaching our children about ethics, for example. This influences future transformation of society. Sharing our positive thoughts and loving someone who is full of deceit changes society. If someone knows they are loved, they will want to show that to the world.

We are the artists and authors of change, transition and transformation in our society and, ultimately, the world. We can change a book from a dark thriller to a mystery and then to a comedy. Each and every one of us has an innate ability to facilitate this on a small scale and eventually on a large scale. So clean out those weeds in your back yard and say hello to the neighbors once in a while. Buy organic food or, better yet, grow it yourself. Be self-sufficient. This will make you a happy person when you see what you can contribute to your own world.

Transition begins and ends in the same unique ways that make us individually different. Show people love who have never felt it. Show society that greed is no longer necessary to attain happiness and wealth of spirit. The transformation of our lives is on the horizon, just a paint stroke or a book away.

Erika Bradshaw is a Board certified internal medicine doctor. She practices holistic and integrative medicine at Wellness Works in Brandon. (813) 661-3662.