"To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right." -Confucius, Ancient Chinese Philosopher, Confucius books//

Confucius says that putting our world in "order" begins with putting ourselves in "order" first. By understanding how to live our own lives in a positive and productive manner, it creates the opportunity for good things to happen around us. If everyone is working to better understand and improve themselves, then those behaviors become contagious to family members and friends. Before you know it, communities start unifying behind common values and beliefs. Nations begin to reflect the identities and goodness of its people, and the world takes notice. According to Confucius, it all starts with examining our own hearts first. But what does that mean? And, how does knowing your heart make a difference in the world? To know your heart is to know yourself. Your heart doesn't lie - that is a skill learned and applied by the mind. Learning how to listen to your heart helps people act with compassion and understanding for others. Understanding peoples' differences and similarities helps to build strong family units and communities. If that attitude is also exhibited in the leaders of those communities, then it helps to improve the quality of life for all. Apply this principle beyond local towns and villages to the national level, and you get a country that truly aims to serve its people and understand the world in which it exists. If nations seek to understand each other and find common interests, harmony flourishes between them and spreads throughout the world. The only way to set the world right, though, is to first set your own heart right. Confucius says that "order" starts with you.