Saving the world is good. (Duh.) But we can’t do it if we’re dead.
Or lying on the floor in a puddle of half-checked to-do lists. Or transfixed by the three-digit number of unread emails. Or brow-beating ourselves for being in debt or fat or lonely or dorky.
The first world to make sustainable is my own. Your own. Our own little bit of the whole. This is not about whether or not you recycle. Sustainability is about living your life in a way that gives you sustenance. Sustenance nourishes us to flourish.
If you’re reading this, you’ve automatically got a great head start. After all, if you’re alive, you’ve been sustainable for years and years now. Good job. So how sustainable are you?
When the ecosystem of your life provides you with ongoing, constant nourishment, you’re grounded. (See? It is about the Earth after all.) When grounded, you’re a renewable resource.
Figure out what works in the microcosm of you. If unread emails pile up, unsubscribe. Or do a Delete All once a month. If you’re lonely, ask everyone you know to introduce you to someone you might like. Do whatever it takes to prioritize self-love. Do whatever it takes to breathe life into the places where you’re dying.
Own your world. Take responsibility for the state of the world of you. Be the benevolent dictator of all you survey, inside and out. Be the epicenter. Be stable. Be durable. It’s the only way to help the world.
Related reading: Book | Fitting in is Overrated, Pep Talk | Choose
Flickr photo: will fails as atlas, by meigooni
4 Comments
DUDE! Of all the great posts and terrific amazing life-changing advice, this just may be THE BEST EVER!
I want to go on and on and on about how wonderful, life-affirming this advice is and how it speaks to so much of my life experience and even events of just yesterday but I won’t.
Am going to print it out, put it in a sleeve for safe-keeping and read it every day before I get out of bed.
Thank you.
Seriously, Jo. You make me laugh and get weepy at the same time. I’m glad you found in this post what you need. That makes my day — at least.
I think this issue of personal sustainability is crucial for highly sensitive people. If we don’t get a handle on this and get stable around an axis, we end up as little, dessicated woulda-been worlds, susceptible to getting lost in a puff of dust. I want us to take charge of more, in our communities and families and societies, to be role models of flourishing thoughtfulness and far-seers. Ain’t gonna happen unless we get strong. Period.
{ Climbing off my soapbox now. Ahem. }
Grace- LOVE LOVE LOVE the creativity prompts subscription!! Genius!! Your brilliant writing is somthing Suzi and I are so greatful for- thank you! Sarah
Thanks, Sarah. I’m having SO MUCH FUN writing more Creativity Prompts. I’ll post about the new offering early next week. In the meantime, if you want to check them out, go to http://www.creativityprompts.com.
And your site is looking spectacular, Sarah! http://www.joyjunket.com Packed with great ideas and a valuable message and endless energy that makes me grin.