Elke Wetzig (Elya), CC BY-SA 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/, via Wikimedia Commons
How do we keep going while seeking change?
WOOEE spotted an inspiring facebook post by Meringo wildlife carer and conservationist Julie Taylor Mills. We’ve republished it here to share the lived wisdom of internationally renowned scientist and social activist, Vandana Shiva.
Post fires, mid pandemic and watching further climate catastrophes unfold, this is still my motto. Thank you Vandana Shiva. I hope it is of help to others… JTM
Vandana Shiva’s wise words on remaining hopeful:
“[How do I do it?] Well, it’s always a mystery, because you don’t know why you get depleted or recharged. But this much I know. I do not allow myself to be overcome by hopelessness, no matter how tough the situation. I believe that if you just do your little bit without thinking of the bigness of what you stand against, if you turn to the enlargement of your own capacities, just that itself creates new potential. And I’ve learned from the Bhagavad-Gita and other teachings of our culture to detach myself from the results of what I do, because those are not in my hands.
The context is not in your control, but your commitment is yours to make, and you can make the deepest commitment with a total detachment about where it will take you.
You want it to lead to a better world, and you shape your actions and take full responsibility for them, but then you have detachment. And that combination of deep passion and deep detachment allows me to take on the next challenge, because I don’t cripple myself, I don’t tie myself in knots. I function like a free being. I think getting that freedom is a social duty because I think we owe it to each not to burden each other with prescription and demands.
I think what we owe each other is a celebration of life and to replace fear and hopelessness with fearlessness and joy.” Vandana Shiva
https://vandanashivamovie.com/