We are footsteps on the sand, soon to disappear, less weighty than flotsam.
Every step we take, every bite we eat, every thing we generate, everything we purchase will impact others.
Step lightly.
Leave no footprints.
Consume only what you need to survive.
22 comments:
So true.. and a fine way to illustrate it.
good advice!
Isn't it funny, that our eating and buying, our CONSUMING seems to leave a heavier imprint than our hearts. What is in our hearts, some of us, sea foam. Even less permanent. Even our actions seem to be fought by the sea. Makes me wonder on evolution all in all and perhaps, design. No answers. Just wondering on it.
Much to think about throughout these holidays. Thank you Rosaria.
And your Christmas? Was it rich? Mine was. I laugh, sitting at the dining room table with more than enough food, remarking on having just a little money but so much, so much, look at our house, our presents, our food, our this, our that, so much, so much. I lost the audience for a moment. It felt like they might have been worrying, perhaps she doesn't have enough, but I was being quite literal. I have too much.
xo
erin
Yes, I guess we do affect others by our every move.
I love drift wood and it made a good illustration.
Maggie X
Nuts in May
I thin k about that too the older I get. My mother was always recycling and a great example of that. Once I asked her why and she said "for my grandchilren and yours!" She was a woman ahead of her time. I wish I was more like her...so wise. She even saved and rewashed plastic bags and aluminum foil!
So, good advice and always something to ponder and store in the back of your mind. Hope your Christmas was great!!
Our appetites are out of control! We need so little to survive; yet, we continue to plunder our environment. I thought about Christmas trees, how long they take to get to that size. Then, moss, undergrowth, green bows and innumerable baubles to decorate for a few days, to make us feel good.
We need our simple pleasures back. A simple soup, a piece of bread. Let's make presents out of simple things that already exist for the picking.
I hear the chorus, what about our economy? It will collapse if we don't buy this or that.
We bought nothing this Christmas. We gave each of our children something they would like among our things, a suitcase for the young one who will travel soon, antique panels for the one who is connected to the East, aluminum thermos bottles for the singing duo on the road, so they could kick the plastic water bottles, and a heart locket for the grandchild, the same one passed down to me, with the story of that piece to show the provenance and the ties that bind us all.
We are already rich beyond our genetics. Rich beyond our expectations.
At 70 I need some comfort, but we recycle with a vengeance.
Yes, we have so much but seem to always feel we need more..but we are truly trying to pare down, give away and not accumulate...we gave many practical gifts this year and not as much as in the past. The only footsteps I hope to leave are the ones on the hearts of my children and grandchildren in the form of fond memories.
So true Rosaria, and a sobering thought especially at this time of the year, a time that tends towards excess. Thanks.
exactly...
echo that! strong impactful write!
One thing I do love about Christmas - being able to give to people who are in need. The season makes us more aware of that needs that others have.
You always have the best messages over here. So true and with such imagery.
Hope your holidays have been lovely.
My principal was promoted to district and I will be getting a new one after the holiday.
Flotsam is such a great word, isn't it? It sounds like what it is!
We didn't buy presents this year either...instead, we bought experiences--things we did to enjoy and remember the hours we spent together.
"Step lightly.
Leave no footprints.
Consume only what you need to survive."
Welcome aboard the freight-less train.
I can only agree completely.
At 70 we begin to evolve in to a different attitude and last year We adopted only a giving not getting attitude.
The best feeling was the recipients of our much needed help which was primarily directed to children.
Maturity does not have an age it starts. I've seen much younger adults, and even some children who are more mature than myself at their age.
The only difference between animals and humans is our behavior and interaction between each other. We are not islands and need each other, despite the Western image of self-sufficiency.
back when I would take people wilderness camping we would tell them to leave the campsite better than you found it.
This was a very frugal Christmas, for me, out of necessity. I did cook, for Christmas eve, to take to my middle son's home in West Sacramento. It was so nice having all three of my boys there, with my lovely daughter-in-law, weary after a twelve hour paramedic shift. She was so happy not to have to come in and think about a meal. That was my Christmas gift to the children.
With a move for me imminent, I just couldn't splurge on elaborate gifts so we really kept that simple. I didn't even put up a tree this year.
Happy New Year from Southern California. No snow here but a lot of rain storms and mud slides!
I hope you and your family had a Wonderful Christmas Celebration.
God Bless You, ~Ron
yes, thank you for reminding us so kindly, Rosaria
absolutely, but not many people realise this.
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