Every morning I awake torn between a desire to save the world and an inclination to savor it. This makes it hard to plan the day. But if we forget to savor the world, what possible reason do we have for saving it? In a way, the savoring must come first. ~ E.B. White
A friend’s email included the above quote this week, and after reading it I said to myself, YES! That’s how I often feel.
I like to start my day with an early morning walk when I can feel the cool air, enjoy the peace, see the morning light, and take in the beauty that surrounds me. Ahh… savor!
Identifying one of my aspirations in life as “saving the world” is not energizing for me. I feel overwhelmed and hopeless. It does not inspire me. I do love the quote though, and it got me thinking that rather than saving the world, it’s more motivating for me to think, “What can I do today?”
When I take a satisfying action, I usually feel more refreshed and more resilient. It’s easier to save part of the world when I’m energized. It might be something as simple as cleaning house or yard work: it always looks and feels better to me after; it meets my needs for order, beauty, and peace; and it’s also physically satisfying. Ahh… savor!
When I take small actions and savor them, I often find that I am revitalized for another action. For me, every connected action (including practice groups, classes, and conversations) feeds my resilience.
I’m exploring volunteer opportunities so I can “save the world” in situations where I have the power to do something. Feeling overwhelmed by the weight of the world and my helplessness does not meet my needs! I’m figuring out how to meet my needs through actions at home and actions in my community—and acknowledging and valuing those actions. I can’t solve global climate change. I can do and acknowledge actions that might help. The possibility of doing nothing does not feed me nor does it energize me.
Taking action, however small, creates more energy and resilience and more life in my life—and gives me more energy to save and savor my world.
Is it the same for you? How is your experience different?
~ Bryn
