Words That Changed Our World

Our founder, Gerald Henry, was inspired to form Everyman Foundation by many events and many people. But he was wracked by doubts. This is what he said about overcoming those doubts:

As I formulated the Everyman Credo, doubt washed over my certainty. Was this an illusion? Was I dreaming and wasting my time? Would anyone listen? Would anyone care? Would it make a difference to anyone? Would I be ridiculed? Would others want to join my cause?

These and many other doubts surged through my consciousness. Yet in my heart of hearts I knew that Everyman was something that I must do; was something that I wanted to do; was something that may make a difference—if not to many, well—maybe to just a few. And, if just one other person could experience the epiphany, the awakening, the inner transformation, that I was experiencing, then it was something that should be done.

One thing I knew for certain was this—that if I did not try—I would never know what I could achieve.

During the time period I was wrestling with my doubts, the words of many great beings kept arriving into my world and they helped me overcome the feelings of unworthiness that were at the root of my doubts.

Nelson Mandela’s words helped me realize that the biggest barrier was my ego. Not in the sense we usually think; “O, he has a big ego.” It was not the big “I am” kind of ego trip, it was the ultimate ego trip of; “I am not.”

I felt unworthy to speak and feared being judged by others, particularly the media, who can be so harsh in their labeling of a fellow human being.

Theodore Roosevelt’s words helped me overcome those fears.

The sweet words of Jesus of Nazareth, Mother Teresa, Swami Muktananda, Swami (Gurumayi) Chidvilasananda, and Edward Hale also helped me overcome my fear of trying, failing, and being ridiculed.

Tolstoy captured the way I felt deep inside and I believed what he said to be true:

One free man will say with truth what he thinks and feels amongst thousands of men who by their acts and words attest exactly the opposite. It would seem that he who sincerely expressed his thought must remain alone, whereas it generally happens that everyone else, or the majority at least, have been thinking and feeling the same things but without expressing them.

And that which yesterday was the novel opinion of one man, today becomes the general opinion of the majority.

And as soon as this opinion is established, immediately by imperceptible degrees, but beyond power of frustration, the conduct of mankind begins to alter.

—Tolstoy

I prayed, that as a result of Everyman, and the commitment its mission entailed, that “by imperceptible degrees, but beyond power of frustration, the conduct of mankind (would begin) to alter.”

As I contemplated my fate, the words of Goethe sent me soaring on my way:

There is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too...Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.

—Goethe

Today, these great beings serve as an inspiration and fuel the minds and efforts of the Everyman Foundation and its volunteers.