Those of us who wish to do our part in leaving the world in a better state than we found it in, run the risk of falling into a form of activism that gradually erodes our spirit and may eventually leave us feeling empty, burnt out, and overwhelmed.
I can identify with the warning you express here David. Solutions to the problem I am and will be attempting are connecting with the natural world as much as possible. Nature contains so much beauty and wonder to behold therein, even with the many crimes being committed against it in the name of progress, geopolitical manoeuvring, the green agenda etc., that it's almost impossible not to slow down on the inside when truly contemplating it. Together with great humour, art and true sporting competition, I find daily exposure to the natural world to be an antidote to feeling empty, burnt out, and overwhelmed and allows space for the positive sense of gratitude. Time will tell how effective my antidote is. In the meantime, Happy New Year to you and your family.
I love slow work. One related thought that recently came to my mind surrounding these issues, and in relation to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, is that I deeply treasure freedom of through and freedom of expression (in the form of the written word and conversation). But when it comes to freedom of association, I am often quite happy to forego this freedom for myself--not in the sense that this freedom should not exist but in the sense that I prefer to be at home with my family and withdraw inward. Our freedom to do something also implies the freedom to not do it.
I can identify with the warning you express here David. Solutions to the problem I am and will be attempting are connecting with the natural world as much as possible. Nature contains so much beauty and wonder to behold therein, even with the many crimes being committed against it in the name of progress, geopolitical manoeuvring, the green agenda etc., that it's almost impossible not to slow down on the inside when truly contemplating it. Together with great humour, art and true sporting competition, I find daily exposure to the natural world to be an antidote to feeling empty, burnt out, and overwhelmed and allows space for the positive sense of gratitude. Time will tell how effective my antidote is. In the meantime, Happy New Year to you and your family.
Agreed, nature is a wonderful antidote to stress! And a welcome reminder that we are part of something beautiful and much bigger than ourselves
I love slow work. One related thought that recently came to my mind surrounding these issues, and in relation to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, is that I deeply treasure freedom of through and freedom of expression (in the form of the written word and conversation). But when it comes to freedom of association, I am often quite happy to forego this freedom for myself--not in the sense that this freedom should not exist but in the sense that I prefer to be at home with my family and withdraw inward. Our freedom to do something also implies the freedom to not do it.