Small things

A few months back I happened to sit for coffee with a guy who's kind of a publicist of social and environmental causes. Unlike me, he's a declared environmentalist. Publicly green.

What was bugging him at that time, was the realisation that his cause was a lost cause. He felt defeated and convinced that nothing we do at this point, will save our Planet.

He was also struggling to come up with a focus for his TEDx talk, and I indicated I'd love to hear someone speak about what keeps us going when we feel that our efforts are futile. I've no idea if he followed my advice. I still think it would be a relevant topic.

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A couple of weeks ago I went for a drink with a good friend, here in Zagreb.

My orange juice came with a plastic straw in it, and I expressed my wish that the "default" service should be to not use a straw unless the customer asks for it. Or at least to offer it, rather than impose it. By the time you get a drink with a plastic straw in it, whether you use it or not, is immaterial. The damage's done.

My friend, who also has environmental concerns, commented that straws are not the main problem when it comes to pollution. That's a fact, as far as I know. But it is also a fact that the straw situation is within my reach.

To me, it is not about the straw. It's the brief conversation with the waiter/waitress. Most of them happen to agree and say "I hadn't thought about it." Maybe for one of the people I talk to, this becomes a practice, who knows?

Very few individuals have the opportunity of changing systems at a "macro" level. And even those who can, constantly hit walls. Not only in environmental causes, but in all big issues that are affecting our planet and humanity.

The solutions seem clear, but we are immersed in a system that we created but don't know how to dismantle.

It's discouraging, to say the least.

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Me?

I'm an educator. I know that habits of heart and mind cook very slow. They are inspired by our experiences of the world, and many of these happen as a consequence of the connection with another.

I believe in the power of relentless individual effort.

If we are in constant awareness of our big causes, we will see them in the small details.

I don't focus on the result of my action. Transformation is so imperceptible, that acting towards the result may well be the recipe for disappointment. Each of us can only hope to inspire a bunch of individuals. Thus the "straw" conversation.

I sustain the effort by keeping faith. By believing that what I put out in this world can make a difference. By taming my ego and not expecting to be treated as a heroine for doing what I think is right. And by being forgiving to myself when I don't meet my own standards.

At least die trying, I guess!