Happy Earth Day!
Coincidentally, I came across Mark Manson’s "7 Strange Questions that Help you find your Life’s Purpose”, from one of my yoga training manuals - in which he says:
“Here’s the truth. We exist on this earth for some undetermined period of time. During that time, we do things. Some of these things are important. Some of them are unimportant. And those important things give our lives meaning and happiness.
So when people say “What should I do with my life?” or “What is my life’s purpose?
What they are actually asking is “What can I do with my time that is important?”
I’m not afraid to admit that the first 40 years of my life has not been eventful. Though I’ve created relationships with people that matter; there were life lessons learnt, but if I ask myself the all-important question of “Have I truly created an impact in other peoples lives?” or “Was it just me, me, me?”
Honestly that question never did cross my mind, as I never thought that I was important enough nor that I can make my life purpose to be of service to others.
I don’t think it’s too late to give more of me, to give without expecting anything in return and to love without expectations.
When I am in doubt, Thom always ask me "Is what you are doing now or being asked to do, align with your current goal?”
If NO, I'll say no as politely as I can. If it’s a YES, I am ready NOW!
How are you going to save the world?
One of Mark Manson's 7 Strange Questions was -
“How are you going to save the world?”
The yoga teacher in me says -
"Im going to save the world by sharing as much as yoga (and me) to as many people as I can."
It sounds like a big task and whole lot of fluff. My 30 year old self would have hmmphed the very notion of me, saving the world through yoga. I was struggling big time back then, just to wrap myself my mind around being ok with leaving work on time to go for yoga class; and that my downward dog looked different from everybody else.
I've grown to realise and learn that Yoga is just not the physical asanas, but Yoga is involves every single aspect of being a human - to be, to do, to watch, to listen, to observe, to think, to inquire, to be curious, to love, to play and more. As a human, we do so much, even in the physical asana practice, but the challenge is just be; just be a human being.
Obviously you don't have to do yoga to be human, and neither are you less human if you don't do yoga. But when you find the style of yoga that lights you up - that transforms you not only physically, mentally and emotionally - don't you want to share that magic out?
That is why I started my blog. Someone asked me why I’m writing a blog; and I said "I wanted to give more of me to others." Full Stop.
With EARTH DAY coming up on APRIL 22nd, why don’t you pause and ask yourself how you can save this current physical world that we are living in and whether you have made a difference at all in making the world a better to live in.
Earth Day initiatives
NatGeoRun.sg has some ideas of how you and I can do more of to save the world as follows
Take Public Transportation (Reduces air pollution and carbon emissions)
2. Take Cold showers
3. Tapao (Takeaway) or keep extra food for the next day to reduce food waste and its impact on the environment
4. Bring your own bag when you go shopping to reduce the use of plastic bags 5
. Use the fan instead of the airconditioner.
I do my bit daily - I carry my Cold Storage recycling bags everytime I go food shopping; I refuse the packaging / paperbags from retail stores when I can; I walk and take public transport 80% of the time; I try to remember to bring my Starbucks mug whenever I need my tall no-classic soy green tea latte; I make a point to remember to switch off most appliances in the house (this also saves bills); I don't take hot baths; (but warm showers yes please), and I do eat leftovers.
If every human being does his or her bit, it counts.
So what are you doing now to save your world?
PS. Check out this petition by Adis Shah to ban Plastic bags in Singapore. I've signed it!
PPS. #shoutout as well to those running this weekend for the Earth Day run! It's not excuse but I would have gone if it wasn't my birthday! :):)
BONUS: Enjoy MY 2 favourite inspirational quotes for Earth day
“And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.”
“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors,
we borrow it from our children.
”