I’m shocked to discover that I am celebrating my 300th post! I was trying to figure out what my earth shattering topic should be but sadly, I’m feeling discouraged.
Why? Well, because some days these efforts really feel in vane, don’t they?
The news seems to be filled with events that are so out-of-our-control that its sometimes difficult not to feel silly when I put my tiny little cream cheese box in the recycling bin, or try to find better ways to do laundry and dishes, or plan my errand-route efficiently to drive less…
In the past few weeks alone, a long-inactive volcano violently erupted (believed to be only the start of many, as global warming melts the glaciers and ice sheets, decreases weight on the volcanoes and in essence ‘allows’ these eruptions), a Chinese cargo ship ran aground on the Great Barrier Reef (while violating restricted areas and shipping lanes) dumping fuel and oil and causing extensive and long-term damage to the reef and its inhabitants, and now oil is pouring out into the Gulf from the off-shore well also doing catastrophic harm to the ocean, beaches, marshes, marine life and (essentially) us!
WHAT are we doing to our planet and ourselves? It’s mind-boggling… and heartbreaking…
So today, instead of letting myself feel discouraged I’m going to try and turn that around and remind myself that I can only control my own little corner of the world… but I CAN do something. I can take charge of how I treat our world, what my family consumes and use my voice to constantly remind people to use their actions and voices to MAKE A CHANGE!
Your choices matter… our voices will be heard… don’t give up… only WE have the power to make a difference.
Interesting info from The Huffington Post:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/05/7-secrets-bp-doesnt-want_n_563102.html
Also can’t help but add Bill Maher’s recent quote:
“Every a$$hole who ever chanted ‘Drill, baby drill’ should have to report to the Gulf coast today for cleanup duty…”
It is so discouraging to see all the craziness in the world and that so many people still just don’t seem to care about what’s happening. Many days I am tempted to just throw in the towel, especially when I run into someone who tries to tell me that everything is fine and global warming doesn’t exist (don’t you just want to slap those people?) I rarely run into someone who doesn’t think I’m some kind of extremist when I talk about the evils of plastic bottles or when I mention that I buy organic foods and wash out my milk bags to re-use.
Coming from the big city to live in a small town I feel like the “crazy city person” and that wanting to live a more eco-friendly is something I should hide and be ashamed. Then I remind myself that even if I can’t save the world, at least I can feel good that I am doing the best thing for my family and that we are much healthier because of it and if I can convince even one person to change just one little thing then it’s all worth it.
Thanks for this great post, I was feeling discouraged about sitting down to work tonight but you just re-energized me!
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..How You and Your Family Can Have a Green Camping Trip =-.
Great posts! I never miss one. My penguin is blogging too for children!!
Keep up the good work!
Charlotte and Zeppi.
Our choices do matter and even though it feels overwhelming sometimes we have to keep moving forward and educate people around us who are willing to listen. I went to a Green Business Roundtable a few weeks ago in the small town I live in and the speaker, Gary Liss was talking about Zero Waste and how we can each have an impact. One person can really make a difference and other people around you notice this whether friends, family or neighbors and they in turn start making little changes and then their friends and family and ….pretty soon the collective is making a huge impact!
.-= Kimberly Aardal´s last blog ..Ultra Motion Sleigh Glider =-.
Lisa – thank you!!!! You re-energized me too! I know we have to keep up the fight even when we get the “look” and the comments of others that think we’re fighting against something worthless. I truly believe it’s worth fighting for… thank you for sticking with me! 🙂
Charlotte – thank you too! The encouragement does wonders!
Kimberly – you’re right! The snowball effect can do amazing things… in my heart-of-hearts I know I have made a difference! Thank you!