Gorilla Activism
The Quiet Power of Everyday Change-Makers
Howdy, you very smart folks! Happy 2026, or whatever flavor of year you’re calling in.
It may be hard to tell sometimes, but this world is improving—bit by bit, ripple by ripple—most often thanks to the guerrilla (or gorilla) activism of everyday people like you and me. Today’s Inspo celebrates that theme. Let’s Get Inspired and Go!
Today’s Inspiration:
We all need regular reminders of the good that’s constantly unfolding in our world, so here’s a round-up of inspiring stories from the KarunaNews website. Each link takes you to a short summary with the option to dive deeper.
The Top 10 Insights from the Science of a Meaningful Life in 2025
How a Small Idea on Two Wheels Grew into a Community Kids Want to Join
People Are Painting Crosswalks Across L.A. to Protect Pedestrians
Missing Dog is Found 5 Years Later, 2300 Miles Away
Today’s Probing Question:
Would you believe that grassroots change is at least as powerful as top-down change - and sometimes even more effective?
If you’ve been reading The Good News and The Good Do’s for a while, you know I’m a true believer in each of us making a difference in our immediate vicinity. A leadership development colleague of mine used to describe this as our ability to change the world within 3 feet of ourselves. Turns out, the research backs this up—and the numbers might surprise you.
Here’s the evidence that grassroots change initiatives pack serious punch (statistics from Panorama Consulting Group):
The “3.5% Rule”: Here’s the kicker—no nonviolent campaign has ever failed after achieving active participation of just 3.5% of the population. You don’t need everyone on board. You just need 3.5% of committed humans to create unstoppable momentum.
World Bank studies show community-driven development projects have 20-30% better outcomes in sustainability compared to top-down initiatives
McKinsey research reveals that change initiatives with strong grassroots engagement have 30% higher success rates than those driven purely from leadership
Local environmental initiatives demonstrate 2-3x greater long-term sustainability than externally imposed programs
Now, that’s not to say that top-down change initiatives are completely ineffective. In crisis situations, large-scale infrastructure projects, and complex technical changes benefit from top-down coordination and resourcing. The sweet spot? Research shows that hybrid approaches work best—combining grassroots legitimacy with top-down resources and enforcement.
In today’s world, though, the political winds may not be blowing in favor of the types of societal changes many of us envision and support. When the big systems aren’t moving fast enough (or are moving in the wrong direction), grassroots efforts like L.A.’s People’s Vision Zero can nudge change toward safer, more inclusive communities.
And remember—you only need 3.5% of people to join you.
Take Action:
Take a few minutes and reflect on a time when you’ve been a gorilla activist in some form or fashion. What sweetly radical ideas do you have for improving the world within 3 feet of you?
When and how have you seen grassroots initiatives flourish in your community?
What is the tiniest action you can take today to create a little change with beautiful ripple effects?
(How) Could you involve a few others in your sweetly radical idea and build toward 3.5%?
Colleen Osborne is a ‘Conscious Life Creation’ Coach and Qi Gong Teacher who lives in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. She is on a mission to Level Up, both herself and the human species. Learn more about her work HERE.