Sandy Supposes....

Save and Savour

Prompt : Motivational Monday! Author E. B. White, who was born on this day in 1899,once said, " I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve ( or save) the world and a desire to enjoy ( or savor) the world . This makes it hard to plan the day." What's your take on this? If given the choice between only being able to do one, would you rather save the world or savor it?

         Why is this an either or? If the world is not saved it can never be savoured , yet if it is in need of being saved, stopping to enjoy it is counter-productive. This is one of those damned if you do decisions.

         I argue that both can be satisfied. For many years I was a volunteer Guider with an organization for young women known as Girl Guides. ( In other countries they are known as Scouts. ....different name, but similar philosophies.) While having fun together, we learned about ecology, preservation, and conservation. During hikes we'd not only enjoy the scenery, bask in the sunshine, and revel in fresh air, we'd learn about the environment. Camping trips were great fun and educational. We planted trees. We picked up garbage. We were taught not to litter, or leave anything behind. It was important to leave our bit of earth as we found it. Guiding teaches us to reduce our impact on this earth by reducing, re-using, and recycling. Not everything man made needs to end up in a landfill. So much can be reconfigured or up cycled. Containers can be cleaned and re-used. Many packaging materials make crafts.

         Here in Ontario, Canada milk is sold in plastic bags. Many people re-use those bags. Of course, they may be used as what they are, bags. A group of church women weave these plastic milk bags into sleeping pads/pallets intended for use in third world countries. They are waterproof , light weight, and durable. This is much like our ancestors weaving rugs and creating quilts from old clothing. Waste not, want not.

         I believe I can do my bit for the environment by conserving water, recycling, and conscious garbage reduction with responsible disposal. I try not to purchase products with excess packaging. For my picnics and hikes, I pack resealable containers. I refuse to litter.

         So, I'll continue to wake up and both save and savour the world. I just will do so in my own small way.