Thursday, November 12, 2009

"who will be the feet?"

Maria always makes me think.

this time, it's about activism and being humble. and how to do one and still be the other.

for me, I think this issue is most obvious when I talk about being green. because, well, I'm a greenie, and I think it's just plain illogical to choose not to be mindful of the resources you use every single day. I mean, I don't expect everyone to buy into home composters, but most of it I just can't even fathom how someone would be opposed to that change. And I definitely don't get it when people throw empty cans and bottles in the trash, or let the water run while they brush their teeth. Like, I have a really, really hard time wrapping my head around that.

however.

just because I can't wrap my head around it doesn't mean that from the other side of the fence, I don't seem just as illogical to someone else. I mean, we don't flush our toilets very often. We collect the water in our shower. our little patio is overflowing with plants. I am borderline obsessive about how much soap I use and having reusable bags and yeah. a little nuts.

but I think it's totally possible to promote a cause without being arrogant. I am not a better human being because I am green. better for the earth, you could argue, but certainly not a better human being. not in life. if we found out that mother teresa threw away something instead of recycling it, would we think her any less valuable to humanity? I'm gonna go with a no here....

I guess what I'm getting at is--I try to encourage others to be green, not tell. I try to explain, not insist. And I try to inform, not preach. And I try to be positive, not judgemental.

do I sometimes fail at this? YES. ABSOLUTELY. but I try. I try to remember that it is a choice, that it doesn't make someone better than someone else. I try to suggest and educate, not stuff it down throats. I try to remember that people will have to make sacrifices, and they will have to be more humble themselves in order to make changes. and if I'm not humble that won't be happening, you know?

so. that is how I try to advocate but do so with humility.

thanks, Maria, for making me think about this--it's always good to examine your behavior and make sure what you're doing is what you really want to be doing, you know? :)

1 comments:

Maria said...

Hey! Glad you entered! Great post. :)

 
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