conformity equals change? - you're kidding me, right?

Ok, so I have these assignments for my Political Science class where we have to read these current political magazines and write papers about them and the issues they bring up. I could go into all of the specifics, but it's just not necessary. Anyway, we had one of our papers due this evening. As I was finishing my paper this afternoon, I read this article that was talking about change. This quote astounded me. It was:

"If you let the world change you, you can change the world."

What?! Are you kidding me? How is that possible? I asked my roommate, Leanne, what it sounded like to her. She said, "It sounds like an oxymoron." I agree. My response is very much the same.

Isn't it kind of dumb to say, "If you become like the world, then you can change it"? That is how I hear that statement. Please explain this to me. How can I change the world if I become like it? How is me becoming like everyone else going to do anything to make it different? Wouldn't me staying myself and being "unique" bring more change than conformity? THAT seems to make more sense to me.

This whole conformity thing is something that I've had to deal with within myself. When I was younger, like in jr. high, I HAD to be like everyone else. I thought that was where I found my identity. But how can I find who I am if I'm trying to be someone or everyone else? It just doesn't make sense.

Prayer Requests:
* My roommate Leanne - her back
* My cousin Mary - her crazy schedule
* A Job - everything that goes along with that -- trust, discernment, wisdom, surrendering to the Guide
* Not be bummed about Alabama
* PRAISE * I have the best roommates. No doubt about it!

peace all,
~Jenna