Being transformed.

After hearing my Priest teach on Rom. 12:2 and the story of Saint Telemachus, I have been wondering how that really plays out in practical day to day life.
Does not being conformed to this world mean despising what the world likes?
When do you make an overt stand for Jesus Christ against the world?
How are we to seek for this transformation?
Is this something achieved through the offering of ourselves living sacrifices to God? Do we get distracted looking for the times we should stand for Christ when we should be seeking to live out Galatians 2:20?
In America when Christians are bothered by 'the world' we tend to create a ruckus and start legislation and boycott the sin, Saint Telemachus resisted his call to Rome and when he went was lead to the Colosseum (not by his choice) where he took his stand for Jesus Christ and was martyred and then the change happened.
How many Christians wanting change are willing to die for their faith, and if they are not why do they want change?