A Captive Mind

Part of my life entails teaching a course at my college, Environmental Science & Stewardship, every Friday.  I lead discussions, we watch intriguing and inspiring videos, and I hope to include more hands-on, get-yourself dirty, active aspects this semester.  Having this job creates elements of responsibility & activism that encourage me onward in my saga to do my part as often as possible: I am a steward of God’s Creation.  I’m not just a person who is an automaton teacher–I am on a mission with students who can change the world.  Consequently, because of my faith in restoring creation, I am eager to impress upon my students the changes that they can make, I can make, and that we can make together.  In order to instill a longing and appreciation towards preserving beauty & acquiring stewardship, I hope to continue in leadership capacities such as this.  An end dream I have would be to combine the skills I’ve been blessed to learn, and the resources I know are available, in order to create a family education group in a community (who knows, maybe this will be in years to come, and I don’t know where we’ll be by then!) that needs it.  As part of this, I would want to simply shout to the mountaintops the fact that we can all do something.  Whatever your station, whatever your experience (or inexperience!) you are someone unique, with a certain place in the world that connects to all others:

Students:  In some of the most advantageous positions to acquire new skills and understandings, students are capable of many things!  You could start a movement.  You could create a non-profit.  There are many things happening, and possible, in a world full of technology.  I began a “Green Group” at my college, and though it is difficult to keep a fledgling group active, I am still working at making this kind of thing a reality.  Students, you have so many professors, intellectuals, colleagues, and friends that can be legions for brainstorms.  If you see a problem in your world, and you see something that can be done, DO IT, by all means.  Does your campus recycle?  Is there a population of teens in the area that are troubled and need mentorship?  Do you see homeless individuals in your area?  Believe me, I know what it means to be the annoying squeaky wheel… but how do you think anything comes into fruition?  The squeaky wheel matters.  : )

Businesses: Many businesses work in a creative or innovative capacity, which is wonderful!– but a gigantic amount of resources are often used in the process of providing services.  Sometimes with just a bit of extra work or a little extra thought, these resources don’t have to be utilized, or an alternative solution can be found.  Paper is probably something nobody thinks much of, but a little thing can create a big pile of waste.  If your business doesn’t recycle, consider the options available.  If you can opt for direct deposit, it’s very convenient, and saves a bit of resources every month.  If there is a cause in your community, a family in need, or a charity auction happening, try to see that your business can be an agent of positive change.  Oftentimes things like these are small ways that a business can send a very clear message to their clients:  We are socially responsible, thoughtful, and possess ingenuity!  We have a special feature at our company: We care about our actions. As someone who is choosy about where I shop & who gets my business, I am careful to select brands and companies that give to charitable organizations, volunteer their time, do micro-lending (find out what that’s about at Kiva), do not test their products on animals, or offset their carbon footprint.  Nobody can do everything, but everyone can certainly do something.  If you’d like to see a cool website that rates products based on health, environment, and responsibility, check out  The Good Guide.I highly recommend finding out what kind of rating your house hold items receive and why.

Moms, Dads, Teachers, Mentors, Brothers & Sisters, Family, etc.:  In some way or another, this can apply to all of us.  We all have parents, we have all had teachers, and more likely than not we are connected to someone in another generation.  There is not a single person I can think of who wasn’t impacted strongly by one person in these categories.  These roles are essential in our world.  I salute you for responsibility in raising the world’s next generation: this is a very big shoe to fill indeed.  In your actions and choices, you are being carefully watched by tiny spies all around you.  They may not seem as though they are taking it all in and observing your every move, but they are!  The kids that take their cues from you come to value you more highly than you realize, and will probably become somewhat like you in future.  If you believe in restoring our world, and responsibility… if you think that we can all make a difference, then the buck stops here.  Sign that bill and pass it into law: you have the power.  Playing with the kids in your lives, investing in their ideas, being role models & listening with heartfelt sincerity, you make all the difference of a  very influential world leader.  Day-to-day, your actions and motivations matter to these young ones: our future teachers and leaders.

Singles: I definitely didn’t want to leave this part of the equation out.  Many people are overlooked when they’re in the single stage of life.  So much more bustling action seems to be happening with the newlywed crowd, new families, or the matchy couples who do everything together.. or sometimes maybe not.  I have seen single people who have a passion and tunnel headfirst into it with all of the energy and determination necessary to start a riot with good results!  At some places that I have volunteered or been a part of, I see that the most inspiring and most selfless are often those who realize that their single life has more time to give, more dedication available, and is greatly rewarded when selfish desires aren’t their central focus.  Some of the most impactful singles I can think of are Mother Theresa & Paul of Tarsus.  It seems they channeled all of their life energy into serving others.  I want to emphasize how special this time of your life is, whether you like it and want to be single, or whatever your situation.  Your assets are many without being tied down, and you can make a difference in the lives of others.

No matter what your corner of the globe, so to speak, your life is like a web: it is interwoven, connected, and continually changed by the lives of others.  We can’t function alone and disconnected. We are all a part of this world and the beauty in that is this: we are never alone with our battles, and in seeking solutions.  If you can connect yourself, believe in yourself and in people, some pretty astounding things can become possible.