I don’t do well with guilt as a motivator. I’m assuming you probably don’t either. It feels terrible to be told that unless you stop brushing your teeth you’re going to be the reason why we have no rivers in the West, unless you stop using toilet paper the infamous red toothed sloth will be extinct in five years, unless you quit your job and join Missionary Life Corp, kids in Africa will starve to death. Don’t get me wrong. I believe that there are things happening in the world that need more awareness and tender love and care, but I don’t think shaming and guilt are the ways to cultivate the peace, understanding, and consideration that we ultimately want for the things we care about. When motivated by guilt we just feel hopeless about the sloth, the toilet paper, the rivers, and the kids; stymied into inaction.
I learned many years ago in Organic Chemistry that like attracts like. What I’ve noticed since then is that principle extends beyond Chemistry. Yelling and violence tend to attract fear and more yelling and violence. Calm and understanding attract conversation and more calm and understanding. If we want something to change or we want to protect something we care about we do need to bring awareness to those things. However, the energy and intention in which we bring that awareness might be key to it being heard.
On this Earth Day take a moment to look around and acknowledging the elements of the earth that you care about. Is there a place you love to ride your bike, a local soccer field where your kids play, a small backyard garden where you chill on the weekends, a green parenting group you belong to? Share these things you love with the people in your life.
When we respect, support, and cherish the things we think are important in our lives we bring awareness. It’s only with awareness that we bring continued support, hope, change, and understanding.
I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Happy Earth Day 2011!
Just a few earthy things I love:
- Orion Magazine
- Mary Oliver Poems
- Wyoming Wilderness Association
- Green Bean Babies
- Green Parenting Association
- Outdoor Yoga
- Backpacking
- Soulcraft by Bill Plotkin
- Teton Science Schools
- The Platte River Parkway
If you are interested in supporting eco friendly non-profits and enjoying tips on how to lead a more grounded and centered life click here to find out more about the teleclass, Simply Grounded, I’m holding Thurs 4/28!
