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Taking Care of Ourselves to Take Care of the Planet

02/18/2008 1:30 pm

Is It Possible To Do Both? Two Readers Join the Conversation

Ok, so we all know this is something we need to do.

But is it possible to watch Al Gore tell it like it is, to ingest the daily statistics about global warming, to feel the intense frustration of government dragging its feet and not feel the stress?

I was talking recently with a man who is dedicating his life and considerable energy to issues of responsible tourism. He expressed impatience about the slowness of change that will reverse environmental degradation.

Using my best social worker persona, I reminded him that stress makes us sick and that we need to take care of ourselves to take care of the planet.

To which he replied that "there's no time for patience, we're running out of time".

The irony is that we are both right.

We have to somehow find a way to be calm on the inside, while we are tough and proactive on the outside.

In Tai Chi, it's called "cotton fist".

So here we go -- breathe in, breathe out, and get to work doing our bit for the planet. Breathe in, breathe out and do some more!

Nancy Harkrider, Editor, Contributor

Reader Comment 01/20/2008
Interesting concept! Easy to say but not to do.
Sanjeep, Toronto

Reader Comment 01/19/2008
I know you are sincere, but this piece has overtones of New Age flash backs. Either we are stressed enough about the environment to care or we are just flowing “free and easy” through life. Wish it weren’t so, but it is..
JJ, Garden City, New Jersey

Nancy's Reply to JJ

The cynic in me would probably have posted a response like yours. I just strongly believe that although the two positions seem like a dichotomy, they are the ying and the yang of the same circle.

None of us will ever get it right, but the intention and the practice of paying attention to our physical and mental health not only gives us sustained energy for the challenge, but helps us make better decisions about how we use our energy.

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