LINKING AND SHARING

Nature Power

Linking

and

sharing

Louisa lamsen

vinzzlexann

aeryllr

Can you name a natural setting that you are very familiar with?

For a moment, close your eyes and see what arises.

Can you picture the location in exact detail? The details that only you are aware of in the sounds, colors, and fragrances.

Do recollections come to mind? Maybe you've been coming here a long time. Perhaps you enjoyed cherished childhood memories here. There may be good recollections that are tinged with regret or sadness.

What does it feel thinking of this location right now?

Please take your time. Spend some time bonding.

Another query now

Can you name a natural setting that you are very familiar with?

For a moment, close your eyes and see what arises.

Can you picture the location in exact detail? The details that only you are aware of in the sounds, colors, and fragrances.

What does it feel thinking of this location right now?

Please take your time. Spend some time bonding.

Another query now

How would you respond if the same place was in danger right now? Imagine that it is currently being destroyed. How are you feeling? Anger? Sadness? Shock? Resignation? Absolutely nothing?

Can you picture yourself doing something urgent and practical to assist safeguard this location?

Be truthful to yourself.

It is likely that you may feel inspired to take action if you have a strong connection to this location. That should be clear, no? When something is really important to us, we naturally and immediately take action to safeguard it.

What happens, though, if there is no strong bond with the location? How does that influence the way you respond? Although it's a lovely location, it's not yours. Are you still going to take action in this situation?

going to take action in this situation?

You notice your best friend looking untidy and sleeping on the street as you stroll through town at night. It's been six months since you last saw him. Initially, shock is usually felt: "Oh my God, what happened?!! You reach out to touch him out of the blue. "Come home with me," you say as your arm quickly reaches his shoulder. Allow me to look after you.

another night is now. This time, a random stranger who appears disheveled is camped out on the street.

Be honest. How do you behave? Is it a problem of someone else's? If your heart is big enough, you might buy him a food or offer him some money, but will he stay at your house and sleep on your couch? Perhaps you use your donations to the neighborhood homeless charity as an excuse for your inaction. You could remind yourself to support a politician who comes across as dedicated to their cause. But the majority of the time, we do nothing at all.

Why the distinction? It should be apparent, right? In the first case, you don't even stop to think. Your best friend and you share a strong emotional bond, therefore you must take action. Even if you may be sorry and understand the sorrow of the circumstance in the second case, there is no emotional bond between the two of you

There needs to be an emotional connection for the thing to have any value, as John Steinbeck so eloquently stated (during a time of famine in China): "It means very little to know that a million Chinese are starving unless you know one Chinese who is starving."

When it comes to the environmental catastrophe, it is exactly the same. Right now, there is a wave of support for doing action to stop climate change. Many people appear to have finally realized that there is a problem. However, the majority of individuals don't actually "do" much, do they? I'm not trying to be arrogant or critical here. I am aware that I am a contributing factor.

What makes us all so indifferent? Why do we hold off on action until someone else does?

There are many causes, and it's not easy (and I most definitely don't know the solution). However, after giving it more thought, I have some suggestions:

Most of us don't feel capable of taking action since the problem's sheer size is so terrifying. I am a tiny ant, and the tree is ready to fall!

The way civilization is currently set up is intended to make us submissive and meek. We have tremendously busy lifestyles that include commuting, working, eating, exercising, shopping, caring for the kids, more work, Netflix, and going to bed. The majority of us simply go through life on autopilot while waiting for the next fleeting opportunity to enjoy ourselves. The days merge into one another. We rarely have time to think, much less take action.

Numerous individuals in society feel socially isolated. The sense of belonging has disintegrated. Loneliness is a current epidemic. If you believe you are alone, you are far less likely to summon the courage to act. The Titanic is sinking, and you're all you have is a bucket. Everyone else on the boat is completely unfamiliar to you. What is the purpose?

Possibly the most significant reason humans do is that most of us have lost our ancestors' sense of deep connection with the natural world. If you don't feel deeply connected to nature, you probably don't care about it as much and are far less likely

to take immediate and meaningful action. It's the same reason you completely disregard

the homeless person you've never met.

I don't have anything to say. However, it appears to me that enacting various pieces of legislation, such as banning single-use plastics as well as imposing carbon taxes, is basically treating the symptom rather than the disease. Like an obese person with type 2 diabetes who visits the doctor for high blood pressure and takes a tablet daily without radically changing his way of life, and more importantly, his relationship with himself. I'm not suggesting that powerful legislative action isn't necessary. It evidently is, but the underlying cause is much deeper.