As we embark on this first socio-political year of a potentially frightening four, I occasionally reflect on what I can do, as someone who has little time or direct involvement, to protect our world and/or make it a better place.
The first and most obvious is to be charitable whenever possible. Be kind to others. This is easy on our good days when we feel good. Any jerk can do that. The challenge I pose to myself and others is to do so when we feel angry or wronged, exhausted or unwell. This doesn’t mean to not take care of oneself. It just means to still be kind when someone cuts you off on the road or wrongs you. My wife, for example, likes to give reckless drivers the benefit of the doubt: “Maybe he has diarrhea.” You can use that one. Then again, maybe she doesn’t have diarrhea. Maybe she’s just perpetually miserable and rushed, which one might argue is even worse than diarrhea!
The second is to use the app 5CALL, to call your local congresspeople, make requests and take stands against some of the unethical proposals presently in motion in Washington.
The environment is perpetually and obviously a consideration. Recycling, composting, carpooling, electric cars, or public transportation are all helpful, but I think if everyone just did the thoughtful little things, over time it would make a big difference. For example:
- Bring a tote bag when you shop. When you do get a plastic bag be sure to hold onto it to recycle later. Lots of places like Staples or Target recycle any and all plastic bags.
- If you’re out and get a coffee, tea, or matcha or whatever, hold on to the empty cup whenever possible, with the same intention to recycle later. It is time we stop taking such luxuries as something we are entitled to. Take out and to-go cups are a modern privilege, extremely recent in human history, and should be treated as such. Almost every cafe’s cups are biodegradable.
- Just like we shouldn’t take anything for granted, nor should we overlook the small things within the actions. If you get food delivery be sure to recycle, not just the big paper bags and plastic containers, but also the little condiment cups and even most plasticware. It can be tedious to rinse these things out—especially the tops—but again, being able to receive delicious condiments by delivery should be viewed as a luxury and treated as such.
- Same principle applies to plastic trash bags, in my opinion. The kitchen garbage where food and coffee grounds and all kinds of funk goes clearly needs a bag. But what about your recycling bins, or even your bathroom trash? Does something that will be filled mostly with just tissues really need to repeatedly expend plastic, or can the bin itself simply be cleaned once in a while?
- Batteries: I understand there are conflicting opinions on this, but it might be worth looking into recyclable batteries. If you don’t, at least be sure to recycle your used.
- Buy small. Don’t support Amazon, as much as possible. Much like electric cars, it’s more expensive and less convenient, but good karma for you!
Circling back, to self-care and kindness, I believe it is all peoples’ responsibility to have some meditation practice, as well as either yoga or qi gong, and I believe even the busiest of us can take 10-20 minutes for each on most days.
- For Buddhist dharma talks I recommend either Won Buddhism on the east side or The Tibet Center on the west.
- If it’s just meditation you prefer, I enjoy Sam Harris’ Waking Up app, though I know there are many good ones. Personally, I require weekly dharma talk meetings to serve as a reminder to continuously intend to reshape my own harmful mental conditionings.
- For yoga I love Shri Yoga or NY Loves on the Upper West.
- For Qi Gong, as always I highly recommend working with Jonathan Breshin, William Kaplanidis, or Henry McCann.
Stay warm everyone! Wear hats, hoods, scarves, and warm socks. Eat ramen and bone broths and limit sugar as much as possible.
