Difference Between Change and Progress

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As the German proverb goes: "To change and to change for the better are two different things." We are constantly changing, that much is evident, but in doing so, we are not always progressing. There is no time in one's life where change doesn't occur; every second, every minute, every hour—we're changing. It could be minute, such as the difference in our exact mindset, or it could be profound, such as a move from one location to another; but irregardless, we ARE changing. The real question is, then, what separates change from progress? The question seems simple, yet, upon further examination, is incredibly complex.

To put it in a dictionary definition, progress is "to advance toward a higher or better stage; improve steadily." But in simpler, more understandable terms, progress is a change that benefits us. That allows everything to seem black and white, however, and that's rarely the case. Though a change may be progress, it is not always necessarily so, and this is where situational effects come into place.

What may seem like progress to one person may seem like a negative turn for another. To give an example, when America stated the legalization of abortion, to many it seemed like a great bound forward in line with the First Amendment. On the other hand, however, many people believed (and still DO believe) that this had a negative impact world-round, and that life should persist. Then, the question is, is it change or progress? What denotes the difference—is one personal and one universal? Is there some factor that says clearly whether one thing is progress or just change?

Sadly, there is no such definitive factor. Progress can be thought of in two lights— society-based and personally-based. It's very possible for a change to occur that, on a personal-level benefits you, but does not benefit the society as a whole. It is also possible that the converse is true; that you do not agree with a policy, but it helps society as a whole. The frightening part of this is that what is claimed to be "progress," and in fact could become progress, is oftentimes warped. For example, technology has increased in America— we now have the Internet, the television, and the radio for news. However, as media has become more focused on the 'bottom-line' profit-motive, the political campaigns across America have become less covered in exchange for things which reel in more money. This has made America an information rich country (with the onset of technological improvements), but we're less informed than ever. Therefore, this "progress" which could have benefited society was tarnished by greed.

So, then, how do we decide the difference between change and progress? All of the standard definitions have been cast aside. To quote Bill R. Good Jr.—" You can't avoid change, it's mandatory, progress however is optional." Then the true factor in progress is character. Character is one's ethical strength, the ability to judge things unbiased, the capacity to break beyond the bounds of common thought and excel to the best decision overall. When the opportunity to change comes about, it's up to the individual to take a grasp on that change, and rather than idly sit and allow it to alter him or her, to take the proverbial reigns and alter the situation. Progress, as defined with character, then, is NOT what people have interpreted it to be over these many years. Progress is the ability to take a situation, which may lead to positive or negative things, and use one's character to shift the situation into causing an outcome that is exemplary. This, then…is the difference between change and progress. Change requires nothing, it happens on its own. Progress requires character.