You Have the Power to Change the World

Do you feel it too?

When I read the sentence “_you have the power to change the world,_” I feel two very different things at the same time. Part of me feels energized, motivated, encouraged, and ready to keep pushing for a better world. And then there’s the other part of me. The part that feels the weight of that statement settle in my chest and quietly asks, _Can I really? _

The world is massive. It covers roughly 510 million square kilometers and is home to more than 8 billion people(ii) across 195 countries(iii). When I think about that, I feel small—like a single grain of salt in an endless ocean. Realistically speaking, I know I can’t single-handedly change the world.

But what if I’m looking at it the wrong way?

In the Bible, Jesus tells his disciples, “_If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you_” (Matthew 17:20). What stands out to me isn’t size or scale, it’s quality. It’s the reminder that small things, when done with intention and belief, can have an impact far beyond what we expect.

And you don’t have to be religious to connect with that idea. A mustard seed is tiny, but once planted, it can grow into a tree up to 30 feet tall. That tree doesn’t exist in isolation—it becomes part of an ecosystem, affecting everything around it. One small seed creates a ripple that keeps spreading.

What if our actions work the same way?

Pause for a second and think about it. How have your actions influenced the people around you? Have you ever said or done something small that unexpectedly stuck with someone else? Maybe it grew into something bigger, something that became part of their “ecosystem.”

I am increasingly convinced that we influence others in ways we rarely notice.

Health has always been important to me. Intentionally healthy isn’t just a phrase I like, it’s how I try to live. In my work in sports medicine and health education, I focused on practicing what I preached. I assumed that mindset mostly influenced the athletes I worked with, but over time I realized it reached much farther.

Coworkers have told me I inspired them to start moving again or finally step into a gym. People in my gym community have thanked me for encouragement or consistency. Even friends and family—who don’t see my daily habits—often bring up health conversations when we talk. Somehow, in the way I show up, a seed gets planted.

That’s when it hit me: influence doesn’t have to be loud.

Just as meaningful are the seeds others have planted in me. Healthy habits modeled at home growing up. Friends in college who made movement and wellness part of everyday life. Coworkers who pushed me out of my comfort zone. Piece by piece, those influences shaped the person I am today. Growth, I’ve learned, is rarely a solo journey.

And honestly? This is how the world changes.

Through simple moments. A smile to a stranger. A meaningful conversation. Encouraging someone when they doubt themselves. Making everyday choices with intention. These things may feel small, but they matter more than we often realize.

That’s why The Legacy Dialogues feels so powerful to me. Legacy isn’t built in big, dramatic moments, it’s built in everyday choices and honest conversations. So, here’s my invitation to you: take a moment and ask yourself: What mustard seed have I planted—or been given? Pay attention to the quiet ways you influence others. Then act on it. Start a meaningful conversation. Encourage someone’s growth. Live in a way that reflects the values you hope to leave behind.

Changing the world doesn’t mean carrying its full weight on your shoulders. Maybe it starts much closer to home—by tending the soil right around you, planting one small seed at a time, and trusting that growth will come.

*April 2026, News Letter *

Meet the author: Alexandra L. Bakovic ATC, EdM

Alexandra joined The Legacy Dialogues in March 2025 as Program Manager, bringing her passion for creating a Legacy of Wholesome Health to the organization’s programs and initiatives.

Prior to TLD, Alexandra worked as a Licensed Athletic Trainer with Division I programs including Yale University and Colgate University, and served as the Ambassador for Connecticut Orthopaedics’ first Sports Medicine Community Coordinator role. With a Master’s degree in Health Education, Alexandra transitioned to The Legacy Dialogues to expand her impact beyond sports and orthopaedics and help reach a broader audience through meaningful wholesome dialogue.

​*Resources: *

Encyclopaedia Britannica. (n.d.). How big is Earth? https://www.britannica.com/science/How-Big-Is-Earth

(ii) Worldometer. (2026). World population clock. https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/

(iii) United Nations. (n.d.). Member states of the United Nations. https://www.un.org/en/about-us/member-states