Changing the World

Posted on February 13, 2026, tagged as Alcoholics Anonymous, Heroic Journey, Joseph Campbell, Twelve Steps

Who among us thinks we have the power to change the world? Hardly anyone. Who among us thinks the world needs to be changed? Practically everyone. This is a huge disconnect. The world needs to be changed, but we feel powerless to do anything about it. But there are things we can do, once the idea occurs to us that possibly we really can effect change in the world.

I had not given much thought to this until one day I was speaking with a colleague and I heard myself say, “I want to change the world.” Hearing such a radical statement come out of my mouth came as quite a surprise to me, but I had to take myself seriously about this. I was telling her that since retirement my new purpose in life was to promote the idea of addiction recovery as a heroic journey. Specifically, I want this concept to be integrated into the curriculum offered to patients who are in treatment programs. (And more broadly, I would love to see everyone reframe their particular hardships as a call to adventure in the heroic journey of life.) My belief is that the concept of addiction as a challenge to be overcome in the journey of life would have an appeal to people who don’t want to be stigmatized as, sick, weak, foolish, or crazy. Not that I don’t sometimes think of myself, (especially in my past behaviors) in these ways, but it isn’t particularly helpful in moving forward in a good way.

The heroic journey, as presented by Joseph Campbell, is a way of thinking about life. It recognizes that life is difficult, reframes these difficulties as challenges, and advocates seeking help to overcome them. He frames the journey as spiritual in nature and says that it teaches compassion. Remarkably, he said that the purpose of the heroic journey is to redeem the world. Help can come in many forms including mystical, religious, therapy, friends, family support, and certainly many other avenues of assistance. In the case of addiction, of course, twelve step fellowships are helpful to most people who try them.

I had to ask myself if I was nuts, or could I really change the world? I think the answer is both are true. The grandiosity required to believe I can change the world on this scale is outrageous. But here is the thing. On the heroic journey nobody acts alone. The hero calls on powers and people who hold the critical keys to help him or her be successful in their adventure. The hero must summon the courage to take the first step. He or she must believe that whatever problem they see in the world, they can do something to make it better. This doesn’t have to be a thing that affects the entire universe. It can be the smallest thing in one’s immediate frame of reference. Helping an elderly neighbor, participating in a program to pass food or clothing to those in need, shoveling a sick neighbor’s sidewalk from a snowfall, rescuing a stray dog or cat.

There is no question that the world needs improvement, in both small ways and on a grand scale. What can we do? Some thoughts are to write a post on social media, write a letter to the editor, vote in an election, participate in a community organization, pick up trash, visit a friend, make a financial donation to a worthy cause, or engage in prayer. It is important to not lose sight of the fact that at the same time we need to keep our own house in order. So, what am I doing to change the world?

Most of what I do can be measured in small ways. I help with the housework, help take care of my cats, spend time with my family, and act as a friend, sponsor, and resource to people in my twelve-step circle. I also really do return my shopping cart and pick up the trash in the parking lot, although it is harder to bend over and reach said trash than it used to be. I exercise and eat a reasonably healthy diet. I cooperate with my doctors. Mostly, what I do is write, and I make myself available to speak to individuals and groups who might want to hear about viewing recovery as a heroic journey.

I encourage you, my reader, to think about what needs fixing in your world, and what you might have to offer to bring about change. Together we can do what individually we could not. In the process we will become more compassionate and have a greater sense of purpose. Maybe we will have some kind of a spiritual experience and feel more a part of the family of man, as a citizen of the universe. And we need to help each other accomplish our goals. So, my request of you is that you help me promote the idea of recovery as a heroic journey, and to let me know how I can help you change the world in your own particular way.