How do we become the great ancestors we would like to be? How do we cultivate future-conscious thinking and behavior that rise beyond short-term thinking and acting, that promote good for the long term rather than immediate gain? (These questions originated with https://www.longpath.org.)
One way is to understand more fully the world around us, and to treat it less as a commodity and more as a community to which we all belong. As individuals, we help generate “community” when we plant our gardens not just for the pleasure of our eyes, but also for the sustenance of bees, butterflies and birds. We generate understanding by working with others to give natural places—wherever they are—our time, attention and talents as well.
Action follows thought, and we can cultivate larger thoughts, longer perspectives and deeper purposes with prayer, a sense of what is asked of us by God. Are we keeping Creation and our role in it in our prayers? Are we creating great places within which our next generations can prosper and enjoy?
What we can do:
- Use the season ahead to read and learn more widely about the natural world. National Geographic has been focusing on sustainability questions in recent issues, for example.
- Our next three Adult Forums in November will also offer food for thought. Please come.
- Consider our gardens and the green spaces around us not as postcard showplaces but as living sanctuaries.
