Taking a walk can connect you to the Earth if you’re mindful of your surroundings. There are invisible (unreal) things to pursue while walking in the woods, such as geocache and Pokemon. There’s also a cache of experiences available to those whose eyes turn to the splendor of the natural world. On a recent walk, my cell phone chirped with a new text. A goldfinch called out for my attention as well. The goldfinch won. As I silenced my phone, I noticed a turtle sunning itself in a pond. Walking past wildflowers, I had a Remembrance of Things Past moment. I was plunged back to my youth; a time when I constantly climbed trees, waded in lakes, marveled at a nest full of small blue Robin eggs or a caterpillar inching along the sidewalk. Nature was my playground! As so much calls out for our attention, are we mindful of the Earth?

Nature. What a wonderful word. There’s human nature, a constant source of intrigue. And there’s Mother Nature, teeming with life; be it a vegetable garden, a trail in the woods, or animals that remind us of the interdependent web of which we are part.

Does it matter if we throw away or recycle one plastic bottle? Does it matter if we use toxic chemicals to kill the weeds in the yard? Let’s put it another way. Is the flood the fault of an individual raindrop? To say that one drop makes a difference seems absurd, and yet, it is an undeniable part of the whole. As each raindrop adds to the flood, each action we take adds up to great impact.

Anthropologist Margaret Mead said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

I think, never doubt that the small steps you take to improve the world can impact the world. Indeed, if you don’t do it, who will?

Note: Go to Earth911.com to learn more about how to mind the Earth, sustainable living practices, including a guide to places in your area that recycle various materials.

Melanie Holmes