Illumination Writing Challenge

What Can You Do to Create a Better Environment?

A challenge response on the Gaia project and making a better world for all of us

A big shout out goes to Dr John Rose and his Gaia project initiative. We are all interconnected with our environment, like it or not. It is a non-negotiable fact that we live in cohesive unison with our planet and natural environment.

We can all do with constant reminders about how important it is to treat our environment with respect and realize the impact we have resonates in waves outward and effects not just ourselves, but many others as well.

Of course, Dr. Rose does a much better job at explaining his initiative that I can, so check out his article here:

If you are like me, after you read it you might be wondering, “Well, just what can I do?” I personally have to admit that while I think that I am reasonably environmentally conscious and believe that I do my part (plus a little more) in creating and sustaining a resilient environment, I am would not call myself an environmental activist.

At first blush, and even knowing how important our interaction with our environment is, it might be easy to disregard Dr. Rose’s post as something meant only for those that are passionate activists for the environment.

While I am sympathetic and extremely glad that there are those that are incredibly passionate about protecting the environment, I can’t say that I completely share their ardor. So, that is why I am thankful that Desiree Driesenaar suggested that I include this in my list of challenges for July.

If she hadn’t suggested it, I admittedly probably would not have taken the time to examine how I might be able to participate personally in this, at least at an awareness level.

Once I gave it some thought, however, I realized that I am doing my part in my community on a regular basis, and have been for some time. It comes from a philosophy I drilled into my kids at home when they were growing up.

It is the idea that you are expected to take care of 100% of your own stuff, plus some of others’. We established an environment in our home where the expectation was that you wash all of you own dishes; plus a few more. You pick up all of your stuff; plus, some of someone else’s. You did all of your chores; plus, a little something else. Etc.

That “little something else” makes all the difference in attitude and approach to taking care of your world. Many people take care of all of their own stuff. But, occasionally, there are little leaks or bits of things that get away. That garbage on the side of the road? A little leak.

Even in the best of times, we all “leak” a little. If we go through life thinking “that’s not my problem, I picked up all my stuff”, then those inevitable leaks mount and grow.

So, to combat that, we adopted a “all yours; plus, a little more” approach to everything. That means if I go on a hike, I pack out all my garbage; plus, I make sure to grab other garbage when I see it. It is just part of my nature, and that of my kids.

It isn’t just a good approach to maintaining our environment. That general approach to life can get you a long way. Do all that is expected of you; plus, a little more. Both of my boys are experiencing a great deal of success in their respective workplaces at an early age. I believe it has a lot to do with their approach to life; “plus, a little more”.

So, in a practical application with respect to the Gaia project. If you are wondering, “What can I do?”, perhaps adopting a, “Plus, a little more” attitude with respect to maintaining your surroundings and environment can be a great first step!

Pick up that extra piece of trash that isn’t yours. Plant a tree. Volunteer for just a couple of hours working on an environmental project, like cleaning up a park.

You don’t have to dive full head-on into environmentalism. You don’t need to buy a Prius or start biking to work (although you could). But, if being “hardcore” environmental champion doesn’t sound like something you could ever do, then consider continuing exactly what you are doing now; plus, just a little more.

If everyone started taking care of all of their own stuff; plus, a little more, just think how much positive impact we could collectively have on creating and maintaining a sustainable and healthy environment.

All it takes is just a little more.

What is your take on the Gaia project and/or doing just a little more?

Diana C., Henery X (long), Matt Lillywhite, Eddie A Tejeda, Gena Vazquez 🖊, Geetika Sethi, Kristin Wilson, Adrian Drew, Amy Marley, Tim Maudlin, R Tsambounieri Talarantas, Tara Blair Ball, Steve Campbell, Shelby Church, Rasheed Hooda, Mary Holden, Holly Jahangiri, Aurora Eliam, CMP, Paroma Sen, India Snow, and Joe Luca

If you like this, you might like some of my other recent writing, including my daily update on writing challenges and handy Medium tip:

A recent poetic response to a prior challenge:

And another more spontaneous poem:

Timothy Key spent over 26 years in the fire service as a firefighter/paramedic and various fire chief management roles. He firmly believes that bad managers destroy more than companies, and good managers create a passion that is contagious. Compassion, grace and gratitude drive the world; or at least they should. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, and join the mail list.