nature is the answer

In 2020, chaos seems to be prevailing. Can you feel it? I certainly can. Things seem to be spinning out of control. Humanity appears to be driving itself off a cliff. Meanwhile, those in power are putting their foot on the gas as they steer us towards impending disaster.

Today, approximately 25,000 people will starve to death. Some 200 species of plants and animals will go extinct. Over 100 acres of land will turn into desert. And at least 20 square miles of ocean will become dead zones devoid of oxygen.

Meanwhile, here are just a few of the topics that journalists are covering today: Valentine’s Day gifts, how to choose a video surveillance system for your home, gifts for new parents, the age gap in celebrity couples, and unique texts to send your BFF.

Those in power, including corporate, government, and religious “leaders,” want you to turn a blind eye and go about you daily life as if nothing was wrong. It’s just business as usual. Is it any wonder you may feel stressed, frustrated, or helpless. You might be asking yourself, as I have: Is there hope for the future? Can we get ourselves out of this mess before it’s too late?

\After searching my whole life for answers, I say: YES! And I say it wholeheartedly, definitively, and without the least bit of hesitation. I am not blind to what is happening here. Before switching over to psychology, I taught environmental chemistry at the college level. I have been monitoring this ecological catastrophe for over 40 years. Part of the reason I became a psychologist is that it became apparent to me that the crisis we face requires political will, leadership, shared vision, and inspiration. Humanity already possesses the technical know-how to steer away from this mess. The problem is 100% psychological.

I believe in my heart of hearts that we can right this ship. Humanity can thrive for the next 1000 years or more under the right conditions. And what are those conditions? How do we change to a more productive course? The answer is simple, and it is right in front of our eyes.

​Nature is the answer. It is time for us to align ourselves fully with nature. We are an integral part of an ecosystem. Climate change has taught us one profound and unassailable truth about that ecosystem: IT ENCOMPASSES THE WHOLE EARTH. The decisions each of us makes and the actions we carry out affect everyone in the ecosystem, including other people and other species.

​So, what can you do, right now at this critical juncture in human history? Here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. Love this body. Inside of you, there is a complex ecosystem made up of 100 trillion cells. These cells are giving their all so that you can experience life. It’s time to give back to the body, by expressing your gratitude, taking full advantage of the opportunity to live in the present moment, and offering those cells what they need most: fresh air, proper nutrition, hydration, oleation, hygiene, exercise, and freedom from stress.
2. Waste not. Now more than ever, there is no room for waste. Buy only what you need, simplify your needs, try to buy used instead of new, recycle or reuse as much as you can, and find creative ways to keep stuff out of the landfill. The more you stay out of retail stores--both online and brick-and-mortar--the better!
3. Be mindful of others. Every mile you drive your car has consequences for the entire planet, as well as for future generations. Rethink your shopping habits, your career choices, and your patterns of consumption. Ask yourself: How can I tread more lightly on this Earth? Your decisions and actions matter greatly.
4. Vote with your $. You can shut down institutions that are not in alignment with nature simply by not supporting them. This includes the companies you do business with, the governments you fund with your tax dollars, and the churches and other charitable organizations that depend on your donations.
5. Find yourself in nature. Stop separating yourself from nature. You are living in the Earth’s ecosystem, and that ecosystem is living in you. Why see nature as apart from you? Find nature wherever you look, including your body, your home, other people, and even the things you have despised up until now. Everyone and everything has a place in this global ecosystem, including you. The eradication of one individual or species could have irreversible consequences for all.

 
This is just the beginning of a global movement that has the potential to bring us all together in ways that transcend our differences so that we can all co-exist and even thrive. Nature is the one link we all share, and it’s time to treat that connection with the utmost reverence and care. Whatever problems or concerns you face in your life, I assure you of one thing: NATURE IS THE ANSWER. Don’t believe me? Share some of your greatest personal challenges with me, and I will suggest a few practical, nature-based strategies that you can begin to implement today. Give it a try! What do you have to lose?