One Makes the Difference

HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

Making the Difference

Until one is committed there is always hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth -- ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: That the moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events and issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manners of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would come his way.

Whatever you can do,
or dream you can, begin it.
Boldness has genius,
power, and magic in it.
Begin it now.
-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Our country was founded on some unassailable values. In our Declaration of Independence it says that we have inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This book, which you may think is about the Earth, is about more than that. It is about these fundamental principles -- about living freely and joyfully on a planet that is treated as responsibly as we ourselves wish to be treated. This is a book about the freedom to choose and the freedom to act. This is a book whose aim it is to open our eyes and hearts so that we define happiness as more than what we own or what we wear or how easy it is to buy, and get, and spend.

Throughout our history, we have struggled to maintain these privileges of freedom, choice, and self-determination. We have never backed down from protecting these rights, but have taken the actions we needed to protect what we so value. Now it is time to take these values and principles and apply them to our planet.

Many of us have already begun to take steps to reverse the damage done by pollution and waste, but many more of us, when confronted with the size of some of these problems, sigh and feel we just can't make a difference.Well, the truth is you can do it. And you must. The greatest act of self-love and love for the Earth is to take one step at a time. The following pages will explain some of the greatest threats to our environment, will provide inspirational stories about people who found the courage to act on their concerns, and will give you loving actions you can take to help save the planet. The actions here can be practiced by all, young and old. All that matters is that we take them.

Where to Begin?

Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.
-- Chinese proverb

Many people are paralyzed by the number of environmental burdens placed upon our planet. They want to make a difference, but it seems so overwhelming that they quit before taking the first step. In actuality, there are only two places to start: in your head and in your heart. When you choose to become educated on environmental problems and solutions, you start with your head. And, once ignited, the spark of knowledge can fan into the flame of passion. So, in essence, by simply picking up this book, you have already taken your first step. The more you learn about the issues, the more you'll find that knowledge can be a surprising impetus to taking action. Read, investigate, ask questions, and pay attention to ways in which your spirit opens up.

Many individuals who have made a difference started, not with the head -- with getting educated on the facts -- but with the heart. Their hearts were sparked, and this in turn ignited their quest for knowledge. This might be someone who entered a forest and suddenly felt the interconnections between all life. Or it might be a mother who felt helpless watching her child die as a result of exposure to environmental contamination. Take a deep look inside yourself, and explore the possibilities of your untapped passions. In the end, it really doesn't matter whether your motivation comes from the head or the heart, as they are forever intertwined and are both essential in creating change.

The Courage to Act

The vision must be followed by the venture. It is not enough to stare up the steps; we must step up the stairs.
-- Vance Havner

So, after your interest has been sparked, how do you find the courage to take your actions to the next level? This comes from a lot of self-reflection and can lead to incredible personal growth. With your passion in your back pocket, explore the ways in which you can build upon your strengths to make a difference. Maybe you're good with people and can volunteer on public relations (PR) efforts for a local cause. Perhaps you're an artist and can create banners or signs for protests. The great thing is that even attributes others may not consider positive can come in handy when trying to make a difference. Qualities once known as "stubborn" and "relentless" are magically transformed into "fearless" and "dedicated."

Another way you can fan the flames of your passion is to learn to redirect your negative emotions toward creating positive change. Anger and frustration, channeled positively, can become an unstoppable energy force. Don't confuse this with directing hostility at others or building upon your existing unhappiness. On the contrary, redirecting negative emotions means using those uncomfortable feelings as fuel to get you off your couch and take action—loving action. Often, when you have an outlet for these kinds of feelings, it's a step toward feeling better about yourself—and when you feel better about yourself, you begin to feel the power within. When your actions are in alignment with your beliefs, the energy synthesized makes anything possible.

Excerpted from One Makes the Differenceby Julia Hill Copyright © 2005 by Julia Hill. Excerpted by permission.
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