What Can One Person Do?
30 Days of Climate Action and Inspiration
We've been living in a broken story... EmptyingWhen I was growing up, I believed that Star Trek would save us. More precisely I believed the story that humans could make a better world and that technology would take us there. We were taught this story: if you worked hard in school, you would go to college and you would get a job in this world of technology. From there, you would be able to provide for yourself and your family--you would do something that matters, and you would be happy. We trusted institutions: churches, colleges, government, and even the best companies. We dreamed of a better world, a more beautiful human-created and controlled world. All this and more awaited those who put their faith in this story. It didn't happen that way. There were grave consequences --instead of creating something better and more beautiful than the natural world, our technologies and quest for "more" degraded the natural world. Instead of peace and harmony among humans, we fueled injustice and conflict. Where once we could pretend it was all working okay, we could no longer pretend. Whatever beliefs came with that old story, they have since been shattered. I wish I could tell you that the story of humanity, of life on Earth, and global warming has a happy ending. But I can't tell you that. No one knows the end of the story. No human has ever lived in times such as these--where we are literally facing an existential crisis of our own making. The end of this story has yet to be written... and it is up to us to write it, to live it, from this point forward. To create "the more beautiful world our heart knows is possible", we will need to imagine a new story. Something wonderful and magical perhaps. We will save that magic for another day. For now, we still have some work to do. Before we can act powerfully from a new story we need an opportunity to empty out what we feel about the old one. Day 2 Actions: Use your notebook for this step. Turn to the first blank page, Write "Day Two" at the top and take a deep breath. Connect with your breath--and with your heart. Ground yourself in whatever way works for you. Breathe deeply. Once you feel centered and grounded, do this: (1) in just one or two sentences, write your version of the old cultural story. What did you believe that you now know is no longer true? (2) How do you feel when you think about the loss of the old story? Betrayed? Sad? Angry? What are your fears, doubts, struggles? Whatever’s there for you, be with it and then write about it in your notebook. Don't worry about grammar or anything else. Just feel it and write. Give this exercise at least ten minutes. That's it for today. While this may not seem like "action" in the larger scheme of things --it is important because it allows us to move forward with integrity. You are doing great! Much love, Denise BONUS: Arkan Lushwala of Peru shares his thoughts about this journey:
2 Comments
Loretta
4/26/2023 10:39:50 am
When I think about the loss of the old story, I feel sad and yet hopeful. What used to ground me no longer does, but now I continue to find threads of a new story that encourage me.
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Denise
4/26/2023 02:28:37 pm
Thank you for sharing, Loretta. The new story has yet to be written... its magic is already afoot in these threads of which you speak. What a time to be alive!
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Your GuideDenise Rushing is an author, blogger, and environmental designer She is passionate about human-scale solutions to global challenges and creating a more beautiful future. Categories
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