"Une fois un acteur de changement, toujours un acteur de changement, mais seuls quelques-uns nagent à contre-courant."

The idea here is actually pretty straightforward: people who once took action to create change tend to keep doing so throughout their lives. It's almost like a habit—once you start, you just can't stop. But, not everyone has the guts to go against the grain; most people prefer to stick with the crowd.

Let's rewind a bit to see where this idea might come from. Imagine someone like Martin Luther King Jr. He didn't just suddenly become a changemaker one day. His whole life, from early on, had moments where he stood up for what he believed in, even if it meant going against the majority. Standing up for what’s right, even when it's tough, shows a kind of consistent courage. And that's what this quote is getting at.

Think about school systems. There’s a teacher, Ms. Johnson, who’s tired of seeing her kids not getting the resources they need. So she starts a campaign to get more funding for school supplies. She works tirelessly, spends her weekends writing letters, and even speaks at town meetings. Eventually, she succeeds. But she doesn’t stop there. Later, she sees issues with the school lunch programs and starts a whole new campaign to make sure kids get healthier meals. She’s a changemaker—she’s got that drive to keep pushing for better, even when it means challenging the status quo.

So, how can you be like Ms. Johnson? It's all about starting small. Find something you care about deeply, something that matters to you. Don’t wait for the perfect moment—take that first step. Maybe it's organizing a local cleanup, or starting a blog about an issue you're passionate about. The trick is to start, and then keep going. You’ll face resistance, sure, but that's part of the deal. It’s how you know you’re on the right path.

Let’s put this into a relatable scenario. Picture Sarah, an office worker who hates waste. Every day, she sees her colleagues throwing away paper and plastic. She decides she's had enough. Instead of just grumbling about it, she takes action. She sets up recycling bins, sends out emails about recycling practices, and even organizes a "Green Day" at the office where everyone participates in eco-friendly activities. Some of her colleagues resist—they think it's too much hassle—but Sarah doesn’t back down. Over time, her dedication inspires others, and soon enough, the whole office is buzzing about sustainability.

Sarah’s persistence paid off, but it wasn’t easy. She faced skepticism and pushback. But she stuck with it, proving that being a changemaker means staying the course, even when it’s hard.

So imagine yourself in Sarah’s shoes. What’s the cause you care about? What’s that one thing that bugs you enough to make you want to see change? Start there. Don’t worry if it’s small—every big movement starts with a single step. And remember, not everyone will join you right away. But if you keep at it, you’ll inspire others to swim against the tide with you.

Being a changemaker isn’t about one grand gesture. It’s about consistent, persistent effort. It's about having the courage to challenge the norm, to push back against complacency, and to inspire others to do the same. So, what are you waiting for? Dive in, the water’s fine.