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28 June 2009
Posted in
Spring Into Action: Shed That Winter Cloak!
We’re all hypocrites in some ways. It’s no fun to think of ourselves this way perhaps. We’d much prefer to think it’s just “others” who are. After all, “we” are doing all we can for people, planet and community. And besides, isn’t that talk about being a hypocrite a little negative? Perhaps. Or is it just realistic, calling a spade a spade, so we can recognize a broader scale of equality among ourselves that suggests we’re all in it together?
We’ve all heard the hyperboles before: “I would rather eat my shirt than eat chemically-grown food!” “I recycle a thousand times a day… I recycle everything!” “I would die before I shopped at that major chain retailer.” The echoes of “extravagant exaggerations” (*) we hear people make regarding their ability to live “better”.
In some cases, the more contemporary “dark green” movement of today suggests an “if-you’re-not-with-us-you’re-against-us” mentality. It’s a bit like some of the original and more antiquated fear-mongering environmental activist movements. It’s negative, unpleasant and it doesn’t help the cause.
It can be difficult to strike the balance between telling someone who does none of the following that they should recycle, compost, stop driving, buy local and eat only organic food for example; without making that person feel awful for not doing so in the first place. Yet, for those of us who are doing these things, it’s difficult not to cringe or judge, sometimes harshly, those who don’t.
That’s why it’s all the more important to stress: “We’re all hypocrites!” Very few of us are doing ALL the right things for people, planet and community… ALL the time. So let’s recognize this and withhold judgement. And as always in life, let’s celebrate our differences and revel in them.
Let’s share our knowledge with others and learn from them to alleviate our own weaknesses. Let’s bridge the gaps of knowledge or supplies in order to come together and create that synergistic sum of the whole, which is always and invariably greater than the sum of the parts. Let’s say out loud: “I’m a hypocrite, but I am trying my best.” “What can I learn from you so I may improve how I do things?”” “What can I do to help you improve?” “How can we make a positive and perpetual difference together?”
(*) “Hyperboles: extravagant exaggerations” as defined in dictionary at www.merriam-webster.com
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