Be The Change You Want To See

"Be the Change You Want to See" was announced as the WINNER of the Tony Blair Faith Foundation Faith Shorts Video Contest!!! Watch the recorded livestream here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGZ6gjKhevU#t=36m

Hello and thank you for viewing our video submission for the Tony Blair Faith Foundation "Faith Shorts 2011" in the "Short Musical" category.

As Bahá'ís, having faith in the betterment of the world is very important. The quotation shown in the beginning of the video reminds us to not only show our faith in God through words alone; rather our lives should animate our belief through deeds and actions. The idea for this video came together when a group of youth met for a weekend and decided to make a song to show how faith inspires them. The first day was dedicated to inspiring workshops, brainstorming, writing and recording. The second day was spent filming and final critiques. This is the result!

We thank you for giving us the opportunity to express our faith and look forward to seeing the other diversity of videos submitted.

For more information on the Baha'i Faith: http://www.bahai.org

Lyrics:
V1: (SHAYAN)
I have so much to say, I leave so much unsaid
But I have debts to pay, so I just hang my head
And I live that life, just to make that bread
I could do so much, I do nothing instead.

V2: (BLAIR)
Look at my TV, dismayed by what I see,
Bloodshed for democracy? political idiocracy?
Gotta recognize the oneness of you and me.
Human connectivity. Put faith in collectivity!

V3: (NADIM)
In the hardest times, we got to remember to pray
Then you feel like nothing can stand in your way.
You once thought your good life was contradictory
You prayed to God and turned your crisis into victory.

V4: (SHAYAN)
My old me's gone, I held the burial
This is my new faith, it's not material
That sound foreign, extraterrestrial?
It's not from this world, man it's celestial.

CHORUS:
Want change? Be it.
Sounds strange? Believe it.
Too hard? Achieve it.
God's grace? Receive it.

V5: (SHAYAN)
Here I go, empowered yo, Old world's been devoured so,
With that erased, I see God's face, I see God's face, in every place.
Wow, wow, wow, it's not a race, Take your time, Get God's grace,
Set the tone Set the pace, Find that path, that you will trace.

V6: (BLAIR)
The Writings tell us how to be, how to live spiritually
Plant nought but the rose of love, that is how it's got to be
Take this thought, reflect, turn it into reality
Deeds, not words; be the change you want to see.

V7: (NADIM)
Inspiring Junior Youth and giving opportunity
To come together in Unity to serve their community
Develop their power of expression using creativity
Taking these young years and increasing their productivity.

V8: (SHAYAN)
Look to the grass roots, we see these new shoots
The future of change, it's with the world's youth.
We've got capacity, tenacity, audacity.
Change it will multiply, start with your community!

CHORUS:
Want change? Be it.
Sounds strange? Believe it.
Too hard? Achieve it.
God's grace? Receive it.


Edited by:
Nadim Merrikh

Lyrics by:
Nadim Merrikh
Sahba Shahmohamadloo
Shayan Majidy
Blair Cameron

Videography:
Nadim Merrikh
Blair Cameron
Sahba Shahmohamadloo

Category:

Music

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[thedapperrappers]

Thank you to everyone for all their support and kind comments! We appreciate it SO much!!!  Big love...theDR's

[johnfozdar]

very refreshing to see the youth are aware of the importance of their spiritual reality and want to do something about it.

Good luck

John Fozdar

[AbbyWizeBooks]

Love that pop-up hoppin' right at the end! Righteous style! ;-)

[baghooli]

@thedapperrappers Everyone in Baghooli Group loves you guys.

[ashkaangolestani]

Fantastic lyrics. The tune is also very well chosen. For those who think this is a Christian contest, awards were given to people from a variety of Faiths. This song is not Christian, it's Bahai! Get it right!

[finnsia]

@Roosterton It is decent though it was for a Christian contest. Though I don't agree with the message that one's faith is the solution to the problems the boy said. It's also a bit odd that this is a Tony Blair foundation where both the winner and Tony Blair are Canadian. There's nothing wrong with that though they come from a country that accepts all religions so I would have expected the foundation to initially be religiously open.

[Roosterton]

@finnsia The video isn't talking about Christianity, read the description ;)

I see your point, though, and I wish they focused a bit more on the moral, human message of the faith rather than the spiritual aspect, as it comes across as awkward to those who are non-religious. Still, a decent video.

[finnsia]

@basketball19981 This is great but it isn't what the world needs since its not secular. Not everyone who is in poverty is a Christian and faith is not mandatory for change one's self.

[basketball19981]

songs like these are really what the world needs!!!! they're reaching out to the youth of the world and are speaking a language that we understand, and well, we are listening!! its a hard world we bahai youth have to live in, harder than people realise, what with everyone expecting you to drink alchohol and have sex before your 16. but if we keep producing videos like these, and maybe add a bit of cultural flair, we will have a huge impact on the world, and hopefully a good one awell!! :) and <3

[alaettin1959]

sahba** sorry sahba spelled ur name wrong

[alaettin1959]

@MallorySinger4Life i agree... nadim is the best!!

[alaettin1959]

Crystal: good rapping shayan! i know i already said this to you ;) you guyss are all amazing!!! congrats on winning the contest... you guys got swagg! and sabah...nice chanting ;) nadim and blaire..always amazing.. megan abraham and shayan showed me these videos and i was majorly impressed! keep up the good work!!