How do we start saving ourselves and the planet?

This is an enormous question which can feel impossible to answer. Simply suggesting we DO something is not enough we have to address what stops us.

When I read this quote I felt a massive inner YES. There is an answer so let’s take a look.

“Don’t find fault, find a remedy.” Henry Ford

Sick and tired

I am so sick and tired of all the moaning, complaining and criticising that goes on in human lives, mine included. It’s about time we grew up as a species and started taking responsibility for what we can do about it, whatever IT is.

Almost everything we gripe on about is something we could actually take action on.

So……….

When are we going to?

Next week, next month, next year? Perhaps when we feel better, have more time, energy, money, space in your life.

Basically that means never or certainly not now. So long as we keep on saying later, those things will be left unattended. The unique and important work we could be doing in the world will go undone. That life we dream of, gone.

We can do something

For some of us it’s politics that gets our goat, for others issues with our kids. Maybe it’s our weight, our hair or our work. Perhaps modern slavery, plastic in the ocean or the domestic violence next door that does our head in.

Whatever it is, we CAN do something about it, but it will require endeavour. We will have to put ourselves out in some way; to find the remedy and apply ourselves to it.

Time and effort

Change can be hard, it does takes time and effort. Along the road we can be filled with doubt and fear and want to turn back or give up.  I’ve been there and often still am. My inner chatter tells me it’s not worth it, it won’t make any difference, it’s too hard, too small, too something, and I’d be better off caving in and forgetting about trying to change my life. As for those crazy notions about changing the world, Mairi, forget it!

Just keep going

However my continuing journey to recover from the effects of my childhood and ill health has taught me that change is definately possible even when the odds seem stacked against us. But it doesn’t just magically happen.  Sadly we actually have to do it and that ain’t always easy.

At times I have hated changing, I’ve wanted to give in and give up. I’ve wished I’d never started. I’ve even lost touch with what I am doing and why. On many occasions I’ve thrown myself on the bed sobbing because nothing seems to making any difference. It’s ok to feel like that and then to pick ourselves up and just keep going.

It’s ok for her

If you are still with me you may be thinking:

It’s ok for her she………..fill in the blank…………..

I do that too. I look at other people’s lives and I imagine that it’s ok for them. They don’t have to deal with whatever I’m dealing with. Somehow I imagine their lives are easier and more straight forward; they have the time, money, energy, other other resources required and I don’t.

But, whatever is going on in our heads about other people’s lives is our stuff and it’s what can get in the way of our ability to effect change. These sort of thoughts and beliefs can limit us and keep us stuck.

Whilst it’s true that some of what we perceive as ease in others circumstances may be true. It is also true that we cant know for sure. None of us knows what it’s really like inside some one else’s head, living their life, feeling their feelings, facing their inner and outer demons.

We’ve all got a story

In many, many ways I live an extremely privileged life. I am white, I live in a westernised country, I have some cash in the bank and people who care about me.

My life has many cushions and I am extremely grateful for them. But like all humans I also experience pain, hurt, loss and a myriad of other challenges as I proceed through life.

We’ve all got a story, our own personal story as well as the story we make up about others. We can cling to these if we like. But if we want to start writing some new chapters in our lives and the life of this beautiful planet, we have to start the process of change somewhere, sometime, so why not now?

Make a decision

So how about it? Together, let’s make a decision to do our best to stop fault finding and instead to seek out the remedy

Do something to start saving yourself and the planet. If you don’t who will? 

And finally, because we all need support and encouragement here is a lovely video with a poem which reminds us all to be brave enough to care, and a quote I hope inspires you.

“The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours – it is an amazing journey – and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day your life really begins.”

 Bob Moawad