What happens when three strangers who work toward making progressive change come together for a project? Passion, desire, dedication, and even disagreement. One works for change through environmental awareness and, more specifically, the physical and spiritual relationship we have with water. Another's mission is to stop homicides and shootings through constructive engagement with gang members and others with profiles of violence. And the third creates a platform for young women to redefine themselves apart from society's standards of beauty and transform themselves into more complete women. We three change agents accepted the task of collaborating on a project that sought the roots and components of change, asking as many people as possible, "What one thing are you doing to make a change in your life?"

Ultimately we decided to accomplish two things with this project. First, we wanted to get people to reflect on the conscious decisions they have made towards change. Second, we hope that after the project, our participants' personal evolution will continue. We know acknowledging the need for change is only the first step toward making that change. We have posted our participants' responses on the Urbanite Project website, and we hope that sharing this information could inspire someone or stimulate another to begin the process of decision-making in his or her life.

The responses we received made us ponder and encouraged us that hope is a very special element that works wonders. Some made us laugh; others triggered more subdued emotions; still others made us think, "I should be doing that too!" We must thank everyone who took the time to think about the decisions they are making to cause change.

From your replies we created three broad change categories:

• Consciousness from the Inside Out: conceptualizing change as bigger than the self
• Current Focus: conceptualizing change in the present
• Exploration: conceptualizing change through different journeys

CONSCIOUSNESS FROM THE INSIDE OUT

Responses categorized in this section focused on change as bigger than the self. Although the element that our participants wanted to change was about the self, it was driven by a desire to have an impact on close friends, co-workers, family, community, and the environment.

I call people in this group "emotional humanitarians;" they see each of their actions as having a direct or indirect impact externally, and they have made the conscious decision to make that impact a positive one. One response reads, "The one thing I am doing to make a change in my life: Make less of a footprint in my consumption (gas, food, garbage, power). This leads to a fortification of my own personal health (physical/mental), and benefits everyone around me. In two words, tread lightly." This is the reflection I wish I could share with each person who blatantly disregards recycling, believing that our actions have little to no effect on the environment.

Through our conceptualization of this project, we agreed that the idea of change is somehow based on self-interest, and that is evident even in this group of responses. So many issues fight for our attention in day-to-day life that those who inadvertently disregard animal cruelty, for example, or stories on water pollution shouldn't be judged harshly. Instead, we must also consider that, quite legitimately, not everyone has the time and financial means to make a difference. Further still, there is that tightrope balancing act-doing for self and for others-that many just haven't figured out.

But what if you experienced the proven health benefits and friendly companionship as a result of having a pet? You might now fight against animal cruelty. Or the next time you fill up your glass with clean water, you might begin paying more attention to water pollution. Some of us will turn away, but some of us will see ourselves as change agents contributing directly and indirectly to the things around us, and hence take on the responsibility to change something about ourselves that in turn changes something around us.

One respondent who exemplifies this struggle wrote, "I pick up trash. It's overwhelming, even paralyzing at times. But I pick it up … A stranger stopped me one day and asked, 'Don't you think that you are wasting your time?' 'No, I don't' ... I feel guilty if I can't get it all. I feel ashamed that others don't pick it up. I walked through a park the other day with about fifteen people. Every last one of the people in the group stepped over the trash and kept walking. Think of me next time you choose not to keep walking."

Responses within this category have left me with a continued appreciation for being a change agent, whether self-driven or externally driven, because it means that, in the midst of so many things, I am paying attention. I am paying attention to me, and you. So if I may speak for those who have chosen to change consciously from the inside out, it's about caring beyond yourself and knowing that you are better internally for it.

-OluwaTosin Adegbola

CURRENT FOCUS

The responses we received reflected people's discontent with themselves and their determination to find both comfort zones within themselves and safe, prosperous zones on the outside of themselves. We divided the survey responses into three categories, one of which is the subject of this section, called "Current Focus"-what the respondents are doing now in the present regarding change as opposed to later.

It is said that the only thing constant is change. We embark upon change as we strive to meet the challenges of life, whether those challenges are internal or external.

The survey responses reveal some of the issues that people are currently focused on. A few may appear superficial; however, they are important enough to the person that he or she has committed to a process to reach the desired result.

Change is a process, but what are its components? People who embark upon a willful change do so because of their state of discontent. They desire a result and are willing to let go of something else in order to get there. In the beginning of change is this dual focus on what one is letting go and on where one is going. Until we take ownership of our new reality, we pulsate between the old and the new.

In his book The Way of Transition, William Bridges details the three steps of transition:

In the ending, we lose or let go of our old outlook, our old reality ... our old self-image. We may resist this ending for a while. We may try to talk ourselves out of what we are feeling, and when we do give in, we may be swept by feelings of sadness and anger. Why is this happening to me? ...

Next, we find ourselves in the neutral zone between the old and new-yet not really being either the old nor the new. This confusing state is a time when our lives feel as though they have broken apart or gone dead. We get mixed signals, some from our old way of being and some from a way of being that is still unclear to us. Nothing feels solid. Everything is up for grabs ...

Finally, we take hold of and identify with some new outlook and some new reality, as well as new attitudes and a new self-image. When we have done this, we feel that we are finally starting a new chapter in our lives ...

The survey responses demonstrate the immutable fact that human beings have a transcending nature and, like the phoenix, desire to rise above their ashes.

-Leon Faruq

EXPLORATION

One of my close friends is an esteemed biophysical chemist. We have a running joke about the "research" I do in my artistic practice. This comes to mind when I reflect upon the responses people returned. Our collection of data does not compare to my friend's scientific research by any stretch of the imagination. However, it is an attempt to develop an understanding of the phenomenon of change. Exploration is one of the areas many respondents addressed, which is why I mention research. Research is conducted for three purposes: exploration, description, and explanation.

Respondents incorporated the theme of exploration in a multitude of ways when describing the methods, means, and strategies they would employ. Some desire to begin, renew, or strengthen a spiritual practice; others are in the midst of learning new information and the skills to challenge assumptions; still others are planning or are actively engaged in travel-the geographic cure. The goal generally stated by respondents is a desire to improve one's perceived condition, come to terms with situations they cannot change, and gain comfort with things that cause anxiety and fear. Most felt that through personal betterment, they would be more confident and prepared to interact with others. Their ability to cope and interact would ultimately impact the world around them because they would have the skill, confidence, and desire to change both themselves and the world. One participant made reference to Gandhi's words, "We must become the change we want to see in the world," which seems to reinforce these ideas about exploration.

Another aspect of exploration is being at ease not knowing "the answer" and relishing the process of finding one's way. This may require giving oneself over to the unknown or a "higher power." For some, the challenge, rewards, and excitement of obtaining a "goal" resembles a sound that continues to resonate in the ears. These prolonged, subtle, or simulating effects go beyond the initial impact and become embedded in one's memory. For others, the echo is not enough.

Most would agree that these acts of personal transformation do not come without a cost. Very few of us can modify behavior or habits without discipline and conscious focus. It takes increased attention and awareness. For some this is easier than others. One response in particular resonates with me: "Change is good. When change does not occur, then indeed we are dead." The reference to death is about being truly alive, feeling, and capable of addressing the intricacies of making change. Oddly, the degree of difficulty was not mentioned by respondents. However, it was acknowledged that change is inevitable; it is a slow process that involves milestones, setbacks, and life lessons, all of which are generally accomplished over an extended period of time.

-Jann Rosen-Queralt