5 Intention-setting Ideas to Improve the Health of Mother Earth

As I finished working on my vision board for the first half of 2021 under the ‘Star of Bethlehem’ on December 21st, a clear intention emerged:  a renewed focus my desire to support the health of Mother Earth, through whatever efforts are available to me.  One of the things the pandemic has brought into our awareness more profoundly is that nature is a key element in maintaining our mental and physical health.  And we all are stewards of our precious resources.

2020 was also the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and the ‘Do Just 1 Thing’ campaign was launched, to help individuals to not feel so overwhelmed with the existential threat of global climate change.  If each of us simply embrace just one small thing, together we will have a huge impact on protecting the habitats of wildlife, cleaning up polluted air, water and land, and conserving out natural resources.

So, below I have listed some intentions, some simple and some offering a stretch.  What one thing might light the fire of your ecological passion?  I hope you will consider trying one!

1. Practice 3Rs.  Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.  The picture above is the new setup in my kitchen to support this effort moving into 2021.  I’m passionate (maybe a little obsessive some would say) about recycling and am setting the intention to take it up a notch.  Perhaps your kitchen offers the space for the same setup.  If so, I hope you will consider adding it to the project list soon.
2. Turn Off/Unplug.  If your ecological passion might also tie to saving some money, then consider turning off the lights when you leave the room, turn off the water when brushing your teeth, turn off the car when waiting, and even unplug your appliances when not in use.  Contrary to popular belief, restarting your car does not burn more fuel than leaving it idling.  In fact, leaving your car idle for just 10 seconds wastes more gas than restarting the engine.
3. Clean up. Since we feel so isolated due to the pandemic, consider participating in a community clean up.  Such efforts can be done wearing a face mask while also maintaining the required physical distancing to ensure safety.  What a way to rev up your internal engine/energy while making a small corner of the world more beautiful!
4. Buy organic, local and electric.  When we think of the entire food chain system, it is a huge energy consumer.  Fossil fuels are used in the manufacturing of fertilizers, food processing, and the transportation to bring the food to you.  If we buy more local and organic foods we would reduce that fuel consumption and if we all do just a little in this area, together we would increase the market share enough to shift the market dynamics. Also, if you happen to be in the market for a new stove or car in the next few years, consider setting an intention to purchase electric.  I know I am!
5. Get educated and share.  When you learn more about the movement, you can help others to understand the importance and value of our natural resources.  Consider watching one (or more!) of the 20 best climate change documentaries, including Oscar-winning An Inconvenient Truth, according to Mashable.  If you feel yourself passionate about something you learn, perhaps post it on your social media so others learn that this is an issue that is important to you.  Also, don’t forget to tag the local businesses whose products and services align with your passion, so others can support your efforts and let their money influence the desired change.  Don’t discount the impact that one person can make – if you influence just one other person, the ripple effect can last generations!

As always, if you try any of these intention-setting ideas for holistic health, I would love to hear about the impact they might have had for you.  Please send me an email at linda@sanctuary4compassion.com to share!