Time to choose determination over despair

The first year of our ‘last’ 7 has wrapped up. What does that mean? It means time to choose determination over despair.

“NASA earth planet environment diagram“/ CC0 1.0

That number -seven- hit me a few months ago. A favorite podcast reminded me that in seven years, we’ll be within that critical year: 2030, the tipping point when scientists tell us if we have not changed, climate dominoes will begin to fall, threatening every species on the planet for millennia. It’s a thought that could bring despair, except that the podcast (Outrage&Optimism) also reminds me that people can flip their thinking: Counting 2030, we still have seven -very valuable- years to change course, and there is evidence it’s enough.

Then there is the concept of “seven-generation thinking.” Indigenous cultures adhered to the rule that a decision made today should be beneficial to the next seven generations. Our western culture may have dismissed that sort of long-term thinking long ago in favor of riches, rapid production, and consumption; but the concept remains, and its wisdom fits our situation more powerfully now than ever.          

Thinking about them together- seven years and seven generations- has caused me to shift from despair toward determination to do my part. Here’s how:

There are elements of every small life that are quite valuable. If we take the time to consider them, with gratitude, and act with the next seven generations in mind, they bring a feeling that’s closer to ‘flourishing’ than ‘progress.’ ‘Flourish’ describes progress in a direction that sustains (instead of destroys).

Taking the time and effort now to choose habits and actions that help us flourish is powerful. I’m beginning to believe it can create conditions for exponential change, where seven years is enough to sustain our world for the next seven generations.

What do you think?

In my last post (and restated below) are the seven elements of life I am grateful for, and how I seek to act with a mindset of flourishing for the next seven-generations.  

What are yours?

1. The beauty of nature: Ramp up support for the #homegrownnationalpark movement – transitioning turf to native habitat to support diminishing species like toads, birds and butterflies.
2. A return to simplicity/locality: Support businesses selling locally produced goods with thoughtful packaging, judicious use of chemicals, reduced emissions from shipping.
3. Technology: We have energy efficient options today. I pledge to stop, pause and be mindful in selecting goods that reduce waste/emissions.
4. Community: I’m in a safe and welcoming neighborhood. I’ll be volunteering on committees, tending a native garden with Wild Ones, and connecting with others.
5. Democracy: I am SO grateful for the right to vote. A majority of Americans (54% – Pewreasearch.org) report environment as a major concern, 59% of Democrats report it is their TOP concern, yet many haven’t voted recently. I can work with/support groups that encourage voting.
6. Health: COVID was hard, but I feel fortunate to have escaped both debilitating illness and fulminant job burnout. I will honor the lessons learned in both self-care and care of others.
7. Family and friends: Especially my children and young friends of theirs and mine. They don’t “have a lot to lose,” we’ve already lost a lot FOR them. They endure fear and anxiety about a future everyone agrees offers them less (species, weather stability, resources, etc) and yet they continue to find ways to live and love. I make it my responsibility to do what I can for them (see #1-6)

A New Year- A New Plan

As 2023 ends and 2024 begins. I am grateful for healthy family and friends, people I love, and who love me back and inspire me to keep investing in the better habits of my life and not give in completely to the bad ones.

Because of our Climate Challenges, I am especially grateful for my children and young(er) friends of theirs and mine.

When it comes to environmental responsibility, our young people don’t “have a lot to lose,” we’ve already lost a lot for them. They know it, and yet they still love us- right? That’s huge. I am so incredibly thankful for that – as things get really, really dark in our world.

Young people endure great amounts of fear and anxiety about a future everyone agrees offers them less. Less species, less weather stability, less predictability, less resources. Probably more ugliness.

Our lack of long-term thinking has brought us to this, but I am grateful that seven years may actually enough time to tip, or to pivot to a better outlook for them.

As New Year’s Eve approaches, here things I am thankful for in 2023 and have supported in the past year that are powerful change agents, and my pledges for the 2024.

1. The beauty of nature: Next year I will further support the #homegrownnationalpark movement – toward transitioning the “lawn-style” yard into more native gardens to support local species, like diminishing toads, birds and more.
2. A return to simplicity/locality: local sourcing of goods, Small business: people selling locally produced food and plants with such a fierce love for what they do. I will I visit more of these businesses, and reduce emissions from cross country/international shipping, and purposefully reduce waste by buying from those with thoughtful packaging and use of chemicals.
3. Technology: We have options now to purchase goods that are less wasteful, like the energy-efficient washer/dryer and dishwasher, my hybrid cars (that I’ve been able to pass down to my kids). I pledge to be mindful in selecting goods that reduce waste/emissions and bring us closer together.
4. Community: I live in a safe and welcoming neighborhood with sidewalks and easy access to walk to stores, restaurants, and a school. Close to an amazing park. I’ll be volunteering on an HOA committee, helping tend a native garden at a school or controlling invasive species at the park.
5. Democracy: I vote for people who -might- consider the next 7 generations. I recently heard that a large number of people who report the environment as their top societal concern have not voted in the last several major elections. I can work with groups, or at least support groups that encourages people to vote.

A plan for the man

My Baker Creek Heirloom seeds arrived today. The was much celebration and joy and exuberant shouting. At least I felt that way. January can be bleak, so this day always signifies the climb from bleak-greyness to lovely spring greens that will hopefully find their way into my children’s mouths.

I think my handy husband likes this arrival too as it serves as the break-from-the-starting-gate for a spring project for him. The fence and gate project. We purused the internet this morning, googling “chicken wire garden fencing” and found a ton of terrific ideas and photos. I particularly like what this couple from Georgia did with their back yard garden, offering sensible ideas for an effective fence with a functional gate.

They have a great series of photos at the link above. I couldn’t figure out how to copy and paste their photo here on my site, but it is worth a look if you too are thinking about resorting to a chicken wire enclosure to keep bad bunnies and good dogs out.

Now we only have to wait for Home Depot to have spring seed trays in stock. Why do they make me wait? Ah well, in the meantime we will play elevator music, and…. Here! Enjoy a nice photo of last year’s asparagus! This was the first batch. The first of three years of untouchable shoots. Sure are pretty.

New year, new garden

Happy New Year!

I have now reached the advanced age, and presumed wisdom to realize that making resolutions about a better organized, slimmer or more accomplished me is generally a waste of time, or at least a short-lived-and-soon-to-be-forgotten exercise that leaves a slight taste of regret.

What has become a significantly more rewarding use of time on cold January Sunday mornings is pursuing the Baker creek Seed Company catalog and staring the garden plan.

This year, as in years past, Jim jumps right in once the catalog is opened and wants to know what he can build or create to improve the garden. After a quick trip outside to walk the perimeter, he decides he will create a gate and fence to full enclose the garden, protecting our tiny crops from small furry, hungry vermin and larger furry canine interlopers looking for a warm place to plop their furry butts. What a good man.

This year we will order two varieties of beets, our usual lettuce blend, a bit of (hopefully) wilt-resistant squash, the annual hot peppers along with anaheims, a little tomato and basil for caprese, peas and beans. Gracie wants sunflowers again. We will try (sigh). So far we are 1 for about 30. That’s one successful plant over three packets and three seasons. But hey… It was pretty.

Welcome 2014!