Why? It’s more powerful when we do it for somebody else.
FACT OF LIFE
Love makes things easy. Even when it’s hard.
It’s just the way we’re wired.
Consider this. Often yoga or meditation teachers will start a class with an invitation to dedicate your practice to someone or something. When we do, it’s almost guaranteed we’ll hold that tree-pose that bit longer, or take our mind that much more towards our breath rather than thinking about dinner. It also becomes freer, more effortless. Because it’s for someone else.
It’s the same with our actions to tackle climate change. Despite the grim reality, it can feel distant or removed. We can shut ourselves off from the urgency, it can feel like hard work, we can slip back into our old ways. Then when we consider that everything we do (or don’t do) will affect someone or something we love - right now or in the future - it changes there, just like that. We’re there emotionally. It’s no longer an effort. It’s transformed.
The hidden magic? It connects us and cascades to everything else.
Ok got it. So how do I take action?
Start the year with a New Year’s Dedication instead of a New Year’s Resolution.
Who or what will it be to? The power is in making it really, really specific.
So, for example, dedicating your efforts to the planet, that’s too big. To the Amazon rainforest, that’s too wide. To all animals, that’s too broad. To your entire family, that’s too vague.
We have to make it personal. Conjure the individual. See them in front of us. Look into their eyes. Say their name.
For example:
I dedicate my efforts to my children. To you, Oli. To you, Ethan. To you, Mihra.
I dedicate my efforts to a polar bear, whom I will call Harry.
I dedicate my efforts to the young teak tree in the rain forest, the one by the edge.
So when you’re doing your bit - an extra meatless day, carrying your reusable cup, turning the lights off when you leave the room - you can see clearly before you just who you’re doing it for. It feels good. And, conversely, when there’s the lure of the extra-long shower, the bewitchment of the unneeded impulse buy, the hop in the car vs. the quick walk to the shops, it gives us pause. A reason to make a different choice in the moment and someone to do that for.
But will it cost me more money?
Sometimes the more conscious choices do. We’re playing the long game. And the result of our game plan - which way we kick the ball or how we catch it - is what we’ll leave our children, the animals, oceans, forests and all life on earth with.
We…
Aimee: I dedicate my efforts to my wonderful nephews and nieces - Franks, Gabs, Joe, Liz, Mae, Meg, Sam, Shems, Wyll, Xav, Ziyad - they’ve been big supporters of what we’re doing together and have been taking action themselves - let’s keep this going through the generations!
Sonia: I chose animals, because I love them so much and we are responsible for the unbearably tragic circumstances they’re facing. I settled upon the Otters. I’ve named mine Ottilie. I dedicate my efforts to you, Ottilie.
“I’ll do anything for you
”