Showing respect for the environment is a larger part of our conversations these days, as we face higher prices for oil, food and many of the items we have seen as commodities. Aldo Leopold, the author of A Sand County Almanac wrote; “we abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.”
How do you believe we can make the biggest difference? What might be the results if we don’t make changes in the way we treat the earth and environment that we live as a part of a community.
I know I have said this before, one of my biggest concerns is that we do not just react to the situation that we have at hand until we think it is fixed. I believe that our whole way of thinking including not believing we are entitled to anything we can pay for, and not doing things for the environment because it is popular or out of fear. I do believe that we can make a difference in the world when we mindfully act based on love and respect for the environment, our communities, and ourselves.
What can you do today that shows more respect for the world?
One Reply to “Respecting the Environment Out of Love”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
I really like your point about not acting out fear but out of love and respect. I think that kind of change in our motivation has to come from within us, and practicing mindfulness can truly help with that. One thing that I just did today, after reading your post, was to try and eat my lunch mindfully.
A while back I read somewhere about a practice where you approach your meal slowly, without distraction, and contemplate the idea that the food you are about to eat is a gift of the whole universe. Not just from the earth, rain, and sun, but also from the farmers who plant and work the fields, the people that bring the food to market, and the people that prepare it for us to eat. In this way, just eating lunch builds up within us an appreciation for nature and people working together in harmony. Lunch actually becomes tangible evidence that miracles really do happen! I really, really, enjoyed my apple today. Thanks, Joe!