Touchmark Post

We are all at risk of climate change due to human activity. But I’m not speaking about the traditional sense of the term global warming. I’m not asking you to reduce your carbon footprint. I am suggesting that you increase your caring footprint.

People who subscribe to the conclusions presented by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) know that this is the scientific group charged with the task of viewing research and making projections about the risk of climate change caused by human activity It is this group that was granted—along with former Vice President Al Gore—the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.

There is great discussion of the carbon footprint of each human being on the face of the earth, and how we might reduce the long-term negative impact of our existence on the planet. (For more information on climate change or global warming, see: www.epa.gov/climatechange/basicinfo.html.)

Reducing our negative impact on the world is something I can buy into. Whether or not you believe in the projected outcomes referred to as global warming; regardless of your political views; in spite of your ecological stand with regard to our planet, I encourage you to stop and think about a different way to make a warmer globe.

In a world full of negative, nightly news and local stories of danger and tragedy that weigh down the soul, it seems our world could use a few more people focusing on the good around us. It seems when we focus on the negative, soon all we see is negative. This reminds me of the story about the father who fell asleep, and the children decided to play a trick by rubbing Limburger cheese on his mustache. When he arose, he realized that the room had a terrible smell. He left the room and went to another part of the house, only to find that the entire house reeked of a foul odor. Going outside and taking a deep breath of fresh air, he exclaimed in disgust, “I guess the whole world stinks!”

With regard to aging, some would focus on the negative … the losses, the changes, and the disability. I prefer to focus on the positive … the richness, the adventures, and the remaining or newly forming abilities of a longer life. Call me Pollyanna. That’s fine. But I’m surrounded by people who make growing older look more worthwhile than the media portray.

Having just celebrated the remembrance of some of our country’s greatest selfless acts of service on Memorial Day, I was reminded of why we dare risk it all. Recently, I asked a World War II veteran if he was proud of his military service. He replied, “It’s not about pride. It was my duty.” For him, it was a given that he’d do what he could to serve others and his country. There was too much to lose if one didn’t act.

I grew up in a small town most of my life. I knew our neighbors by name. I knew each of the children’s names—and even the dogs were known. When we ran out of something or needed a helping hand or wanted to celebrate some good news, our very willing friends were no more than just a door or two away. Although I now live in a community that is more than 200,000 people—and growing—kindness is still right next door.

Recently my oven stopped working. I was in the midst of mixing up a batch of cookies for some friends who needed a friendly touch. With dough in hand, I called my neighbor, who was gracious and willing to let me enter her home, even though she and her family were just leaving for the evening. She told me how to operate her oven. The cookies baked and were delicious, but the warm act of kindness was more lasting. It touched my heart that there are still people who choose trust over fear and kindness over busy coolness. I myself can use a regular dose of this kind of global warming. It’s good to be reminded to increase our caring footprint in this world before we are gone.

Today, do something kind, thoughtful, sensitive, patient, tolerant, lighthearted, or loving. Don’t be detoured by what others will think or how they may or may not react. Indeed, the world may look at you differently. In some cases, people may even wonder about your sensibilities. There’s clearly too much good to be lost if we don’t act—and so much to be gained in our world when we do.

After you are gone, people might just say, “She/he made the world a warmer place to be.”
For more positive thoughts, visit: http://www.speakingoftrees.com/2007/10/22/a-thousand-things-went-right-today/