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Feature Article
"Caring for nature means caring for "me." By Charlie Badenhop
03/06
Where do "I" begin and end?
Today, I am inviting you to explore the boundaries of "self." I
ask you to ponder where "I" begin and end. What is part of "me" and
what is outside of "me"? What is "you" and what is "me"?
What is "us" and what is "them"? If I was to show
you a picture of "me" standing in a crowded room of friends
and family, and ask you to draw a line around "me" how would
you do so? Would you simply draw an oval encompassing my frame from head
to foot? What if I showed you a picture of me out in nature. Would you
draw a line around "me" taking in as little sky as possible?
When you think of "your self" does your definition of self
include sunlight, potable water, food, a certain range of temperature
and humidity, and air to breathe? Most likely you don't think of your "self" in
quite this manner, but why not? If any of these all important elements
are not present, "you" will soon cease to exist. You can't live
without sunlight and water, but sunlight and water can live without you!
Humans need nature. Human's very life depends on nature. But nature does
not need or depend on humans for life. Unless we say in this modern day
and age, that nature depends on humans to not destroy it, and humans so
often seem like they don’t care.
When we say that an action/corporation/product is ecological we refer
to how it supports the interdependence of all living organisms within
an environment, which is itself a living organism. When we destroy any
part of our natural environment we destroy a part of ourselves, because
our personal ecology is fully dependent on the ecology of the natural
elements that surrounds us.
I ask you again, "Can you live without potable water, oxygen, food,
and sunlight? Can you live if the temperature and humidity of the earth's
atmosphere was to change by more than about 15% on average? Can you live
without depending on the natural elements for your life? Why is it that
people in the industrialized world tend to label as "primitive" those
cultures that teach that man and nature are inseparable, when indeed this
is the case?
All of life requires an ecology, a balance, a conservative and corrective
interplay between elements and energies. Every living system needs to
be able to self correct, and every living system depends on elements outside
of "itself" in order to maintain "itself." None of
us live as separate entities depending only on our own will and intelligence.
Lately most human beings tend to treat the natural environment as a disposable
item like a paper napkin or a pair of shoes. We use nature as a convenience
item, or we use nature as a way to make money, and then we move on when
we deplete the natural resources in a given area. Some people even treat
their relationships with other people in a similar manner, and it is not
all that surprising, if you really think that "me" is fully
contained inside the boundaries of your own body.
When we disrespect nature we disrespect and misunderstand "me." When
we are confused about who and what "me" is, it is that much
easier to disrespect and misunderstand others. Just like human beings,
no country is separate and complete unto itself. I hope that we will come
to understand that caring for nature means caring for "me." That
caring about "me," means caring about you. That caring about
my country means, caring about your country. That caring about "us",
adds to the quality of all of life.
--------------
Charlie Badenhop is the originator of Seishindo, an Aikido instructor,
NLP trainer, and Ericksonian Hypnotherapist. Benefit from a new self-help
Practice every two weeks, by subscribing to his complimentary newsletter "Pure
heart, simple mind" http://www.seishindo.org
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Thoughts to Ponder
When you know that what you're doing is right, nothing will be able to stop you. When you are absolutely convinced of the true value of your efforts, you'll have the courage and the persistence to see them through. To believe in what you're doing is not just important. It is everything.
Anything less cannot possibly succeed. For any accomplishments you reach while living a lie will ultimately be of no value.
It is not always easy to live true to your highest values, true to your authentic self, true to what you know is right. Yet it is always your best choice.
When you deny what you know is right in order to follow the expediency of the moment, the benefits you gain are trivial and fleeting. Choose instead to live each moment true to the highest values you know.
Then, who you become will be the fulfillment of who you truly are. Why would you ever want to be anything less? —Ralph Marston
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