The phrase was coined by Dan Wieden* in 1988, and has, I’m sure, become ingrained in the minds of millions of people – as well as indelibly linked to the Nike ‘tick’, formally know as the Swoosh.

Advertising makes millions based on it’s understanding of the power of words, the promotion of an idea, the planting of a seed. Those 3 words” “Just Do It” were 20 years old in July 2008, and amoungst other things, have been cited as inspiring people to: “…leave abusive husbands and achieve heroic feats.” (source, Oregon live.com)

Those words were on my mind a few weeks back,  inspired by the frustration of coming face-2-face with a missed opportunity which seemed to have happened merely because someone chose not to ‘Just Do It’, not to speak up, not to take a risk…only to appear still, years later, to have some lingering reflection/regret of what might have been.

The words are back on my mind today, as I digest news I received recently that will mean big changes, big changes. The temptation is there to not take the risk, to question the craziness of decisions which will soon have to be made, to wonder how on earth this has all finally come together…The desire is also there to ‘Just Do It’.

Yes those words are part of an ad campaign to ‘make’ us want to buy trainers, and other sporting goods, yes they are used imaginatively/manipulatively to create profit for a commercial business giant, but they surely only have that power as they sum up the longing of some, maybe many of us, who wished we had, could, or would just do something. Un-hinder ourselves, take the risk, risk being vulnerable, pluck up the courage, change something, and just do whatever ‘it’ is.

I feel as if I’m now sounding like I’m giving a pep talk, Janice’s motivation 101 so I’m gonna leave it there.

*It was agency co-founder Dan Wieden who coined the now-famous slogan “Just Do It” for a 1988 Nike ad campaign, which was chosen by Advertising Age as one of the top five ad slogans of the 20th century, and the campaign has been enshrined in the Smithsonian Institution.^[9] San Franciscan Walt Stack was featured in Nike’s first “Just Do It” advertisement that debuted on July 1, 1988.^[10] Wieden credits the inspiration for the slogan to “Let’s do it”, the last words spoken by Gary Gilmore before he was executed.^[11]

“I am the change I want to see” I mused on the words, and my first thoughts were, of the agreeing variety. I then went onto wonder what the connotations to this concept were… So I decided to do a google search on them, though I realise now I actually searched for: “I am the change I want to be”. – Maybe this was subconcious…

Anyway, only 3 results came up and they brought me to a video: Be The Change That You Want To See.

It interested me, so thought I’d share it with you. Let me know what you think of the idea of being the change you want to see or be.

Be The Change That You Want To See

She had been at her regular women’s group, and there had heard extracts from a book which tells the story of a New Zealand Christian couple who spent years doing missionary work* in China.

Before going to China ever entered their thoughts, they had felt that God had told them to bury the words ‘can’t’ and ‘won’t', and so they set about removing them from their vocabulary and mindset.

This choice became very significant, when sometime later they felt that God was asking them to go to China.

An understandable response would have been “we can’t” or “we won’t”, but as they had buried those words, their answer could only be yes. And so they went there, spent years there, had 6 children there, experienced many challenging things there – including interrogations – and finally returned to New Zealand thinking their time of missionary work was over. Only to find that God soon asked them to go back.

*Generally understood to mean acts of service influenced by and related a person’s faith, often in a country other than their country of origin. The decision to do such work is usually preceded by a sense of calling to that work from God.

I was struck by that concept of burying the words “can’t” and “won’t”. How liberating could that be for anyone with a desire, dream, or determined vision. How shaping and focusing could such a concept be for goal setting, ‘stepping out’, and following through.

A useful tool for a writer-in-waiting. A good backdrop for the photographer. A blank canvas for the artist…

I think I’m going to ponder this some more, and invite you to do the same.

I didn’t think we’d be able to do all the tracks and suggested we drop one of them. But, my brother – who at around 3am Thursday morning went to bed for the first time since waking up Tuesday morning- was adamant that we should stick to the plan.

His determination (pigheadedness) has reaped rewards. All the tracks are now done vocal wise, two have almost full instrumentation, and according to some friends who dropped by – it’s all sounding very nice.

I must say that these past 2/3 days have been challenging, sometimes frustrating, and confirmed that I definitely prefer live gigs to studio work, but I am feeling very rewarded by the experience. I am also excited to see what may happen next as I step out once again into the world of music, session singing and explore seriously my song writing.

It’s amazing what a chain of events a simple question can lead to.

They were celebrating International Women’s Day – a day previously unknown to me and from what I gather, not widely known in the UK. Well Kocoa and others from the EAN felt compelled to do something in honour of this day and last nights fusion of artists from different creative genres was the result.

I went along not only to enjoy and support the night, but to read some of my poetry.

This was a long time coming ‘stepping out’ for me. As a ‘writer-in-waiting’, writing poetry and writing in general has long been a part of my DNA – known only to a few, and very little shared (unless you have been the recipient of a card from me )

I am grateful for the opportunity that came my way and the hook up/push that came from my cousin. I am also grateful and encouraged by those in the audience who came up to me afterwards.

When stepping out into anything new, there is almost always a moment when one can turn back or ‘pike out’ as I would say. To ensure that moment didn’t happen for me, I told a few people that I would be reading poetry and having them say they were going to be there held me accountable for not letting fear or any other associated feelings ‘give me an out’.

I must say that as I got off the bus to walk to the venue in the pouring rain, I did think I could be home now but I’m very glad I wasn’t. As I could well look back on last night as when I really begun my move away from being ‘writer-in-waiting’.

*Eclectic Arts Network put on a number of events for creative people to be involved in and attend, so check out their events page. Also Kocoa is the front woman for the group KB Fusionnaires. This group has vibe, energy, artistic harmony and much more. Definitely to be checked out!