Being a good steward is something I think about more and more as I age.
As I look back at my life’s choices, I think about what I’ve been given, and what I have made of that.
So, that’s pretty much what I mean when I talk about being a good steward. It’s about taking what we’ve been given and then, through our choices and actions, both maintaining it and also enhancing it.
So, it’s about your legacy…
Being a good steward means that you are handing what you’ve been given to the next person, or the next generation, in the same or better shape than when you got it.
So, that brings me to Earth Day on Monday. Do you have plans?
I love pausing on days like Earth Day, to think about my values, my priorities, and what I can do every day to find ways to put them into action. So that’s what I’ll be taking some time to do on Earth Day this year.
Earth Day and being a good steward…
I was interested to explore the EarthDay.org website to see the vast and varied collection of information, resources, and tips there. One of their undertakings is to have people around the world participate in “3 Billion Acts of Green.” Here’s how they describe it:
The biggest lesson from the first Earth Day: When we come together, the impact can be monumental. Go green with us by making small changes that add up to making a big difference. Commit to earth-friendly acts, make more sustainable choices, reduce your carbon footprint, conserve energy and resources, collaborate on environmental projects in your community, vote for leaders committed to protect us and the environment, and share your acts of green to help educate and inspire others to join our movement! Start protecting our environment today and help us create a healthy, more sustainable future.
EarthDay.org
Here’s where you can add your Act of Green and see some examples of what others are doing.
In thinking about your act, I’d advise not trying to make too many big changes in your everyday living all at once. Instead, think about small, sustainable steps. It’s sustainability that is key. So being a good steward means making incremental changes over time so that something like recycling or not using plastic bottles or bags can be incorporated into your routine without too much disruption.
The bottom line is that this is about creating new habits (which usually takes @ 28 days). If you bite off more than you can chew, your efforts are likely to come to a halt before your new habit has actually taken hold.
Ultimately, it boils down to self-care…
Being a good steward of the planet is really identical to self-care, in my mind. Our selves and our planet are the necessary bases from which all of our activities and accomplishments spring. Without either one, we simply don’t exist.
Self-care and care of the planet are the foundation of everything. And yet, as important as they are, these sustaining activities are often pushed to the background by other things that we value — like being more productive or more successful.
But pausing to honor and reflect on being a good steward of this planet is an important activity on Earth Day and every day. It means taking the long view and thinking about our legacy and our heart-based values.
Whether we’re talking about planet-care or self-care, it’s vital to incorporate this awareness into our habits and activities every day.
So, what does being a good steward mean to you? How have you incorporated this value into your routine? And how might you expand your activities as a steward of our planet AND as a steward of yourself?
More help is on the way…
Time is pure potential. You decide how to use it; and once you do, it’s gone. That’s why it’s so important to build on your best time choices. If you feel like your time slips through your fingers, then you’ll want to claim your copy of my complimentary “Daily Choices Template: Proven Strategies for Tracking Your Best Time Choices Today, Tomorrow & All Year!” There’s no time like the present – to start moving toward the future you envision for yourself.
Let’s explore time together …
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