Take the Next Good Step

I'm of the belief that many people genuinely do care about the natural world and how each of us is contributing in some form or fashion to its demise. But what can we do, really? It seems that every news headline concerning the environment points to issues that are overwhelming in scope and scale. My little contributions like refusing to drink bottled water, taking my own cutlery to restaurants that use disposable silverware, or any number of the other small things I do are like a drop of water on a forest fire. So why not just give up?

Studies have shown that this is in fact what happens due to the aforementioned feelings of overwhelm. Not only do people give up because of the immensity of the problems, the pendulum actually swings toward what has been termed hyper-consumerism. It's a very understandable if nihilistic reaction. If we're going down in flames, I might as well have fun on the way down. This in turn only exacerbates the environmental problems that led to those feelings of despair and hopelessness in the first place. Obviously hyper-consumerism isn't a helpful reaction, to put it mildly.

So let's go back to the question posed above, but rather than use it as a rhetorical device let's try to answer it. What can we do, really? A lot, as it turns out. Rather than offer bullet-pointed solutions, however, I want to offer a framework for your mind and heart and let you decide what it is you feel led to do. The framing thought is this: Take the Next Good Step. Put it on your mirror. Write it on your hand. Tattoo it on the inside of your eyelids...maybe don't do that one, but you get the idea. You'll hear people say that our small actions aren't enough to save us at this stage but that view seems to come from a limited understanding of what's possible. We must continue to hope because there is always, always hope. Though the evidence we see may speak to the contrary and though the state of the world may be soul-crushing, there is always, always hope. If you don't believe that, suspend your disbelief and just trust me on this one. I know it to be true beyond the shadow of a doubt. So hold on to this truth and Take the Next Good Step.

I don't know where you live or what your life circumstances are, but you do. And you know what it is your heart's telling you to do. It will almost certainly be inconvenient as we live in a society that makes good choices difficult. Embrace the discomfort and inconvenience and do it anyway. You'll be surprised how it lifts your heart and mind, and it will help grow the hope that you may lack. Listening to and following your deep heart especially when doing so proves difficult is a sure way to save the world. If you want ideas, I've got plenty and I'd love to send them your way if you want to message me here or through our social media. But like I said, I bet you already know what it is your heart wants you to do. So listen to it and Take the Next Good Step.

--Derek