Each of us has the precious opportunity to say who we long to be, what our lives are committed to, what we stand for. A commitment is different from a position. A position is usually against something; a stand is for something.
"I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do. What I can do, I should do. And what I should do, by the grace of God, I will do." ~Edward Everett Hale
Each of us has the opportunity to make new choices in our daily lives, to create new practices that we take on each and every day. Our invitation is for you to design practices for yourself that have you be ‘in action’ consistent with creating a sustainable, fulfilling and just human presence on Earth as the guiding principle of our time. The name of the game is: engage. Small steps are good. Big steps are good. Have it be a practice that delights, satisfies and inspires you. You might like to include some of the aspects listed below:
My Relationship with Earth/Environmental Sustainability
Identify habits in the way I live that are unsustainable for me or the earth, that I intend to do something about
Eat less _______ and more _______
Carpool, bicycle, take public transportation or walk ___ times each week in lieu of driving my own internal combustion vehicle
Begin to investigate "one-earth" methods of transportation, heating, and refrigeration at home & work
Purchase only items whose packaging, ingredients and methods of production are sustainable and support life. (Note: This may require research!)
Spend some aware moments outdoors, in nature every single day
Plant a tree, a garden
Clean up a beach, trail, field, path, roadway
Pay attention to and track the natural cycles of the moon, sun(light), stars, plants and animals
My Relationship with Others/Community/Social Justice
Regularly initiate conversations about a sustainable, socially just & just human presence on the planet with friends, family, and the world at large
Go online and investigate 10 "civil society" groups and/or initiatives that intrigue me, and join at least one
Investigate the current topics in my local community with regard to politics and environmental/social issues
Write/email letters to your representatives
Buy only what I need (food, medicine) for a specific time period; invite others to participate
Notice the times when society/the culture relates to me primarily as a consumer
Make a micro loan to a third world entrepreneur and establish an e-mail relationship with him/her on kiva.org
Take a workshop on unlearning racism
Set aside a percentage of my monthly income to support organizations working for social justice
Open myself; educate myself about privilege/oppression
Stay connected with participants from the Symposium
My Relationship with Self/Spiritual Fulfillment
Designate a regular daily spiritual practice - meditation/yoga/prayer/other
Investigate and watch for examples of interconnectedness everywhere
Consider and pay attention to dreams, daydreams & visions. Seek the wisdom in them.
Manage my conversation (internal and external) to be one of possibility and inspiration to myself and others
Be compassionate and forgiving with myself, even when I don't do everything I think I should
As a radical act: want less, buy less, use less
Consciously read, listen to, watch, and engage with things and individuals that empower, uplift and/or have me be a more effective agent for Changing the Dream
Read one page of something that inspires me each morning or evening
Explore what is "enough" for me.
These are just a few examples, to get you thinking. Keep in mind these practices are meant to create an opening in our habitual way of going through life. These are guidelines, beacon lights, not sledgehammers. Compassion begins at home. When you notice you have gone to sleep, let go of the self-judgment, awaken, and renew your practice. Find partner(s) to support you in your practice. Have a great time with this!
