“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has” – Margaret Mead

Imagine where we’d be without those thoughtful committed citizens.Imagine where we could be if more of us felt okay about joining them.

I’ve been held back countless times from stepping up.

Correction. I’ve held myself back.

I’ve held myself back for a menagerie of reasons, all flawed. Insecurity, inadequacy  uncertainty, humility, fear, slowness, worry, busy-ness and more.

The thing is, the times I have stepped up have been incredible. I’ve felt empowered. I’ve learnt so much. I’ve laughed and cried and wanted to tear my hair out. I’ve realised it’s not about waiting to be spectacular enough to fill the shoes, it’s about wearing the shoes even if they are way too big, and teetering around in them until you grow to merit them, or at least get a little bit closer to it. It’s about putting on a brave face, it’s about knowing when you need a hand, and remembering that good things come from small beginnings.

Just yesterday, I had the privilege of being one of many who stepped up to do great things in local food consumption. For the first time, forty-five members of the Goodlife Co-ops – a grass roots local food collective here on the Sunshine Coast – met together to get inspired, to make plans, to share a delicious dinner and to celebrate all that we’re achieving. It was richly motivating, and it spurred on a whole bunch of us to step up to make new contributions, or to keep on doing what we’re already working on.

We are one of those small groups that Margaret Mead praised, and we’re well on the way to changing our world. I’m so glad the menagerie of obstacles didn’t get in our way.

If you live on the Sunshine Coast and you’re interested in becoming part of Goodlife Co-op – the most delicious kind of activism I’ve ever known – join us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/goodlifefood/, and in real life at Peregian, Mudjimba, Coolum and (soon) Buderim every Thursday evening.