fautrever.com

Last March I attended The Sustainability and Energy Exp09 here in Tucson. It was three days packed full of seminars, talks, movie screenings and a green marketplace—all designed to encourage citizens to reduce their impact on our local environment. I carefully arranged my schedule so that I could attend as many of the events as possible. Over the long weekend I scribbled down pages and pages of notes and gathered many helpful ideas that Lance and I could use to guide our decisions at the property we were hoping to purchase.

Looking back over my notes I remember having many ah-ha moments, noticeable since my excited handwriting became even worse than usual (and yes, that is possible). Many of the practical items we have now included in our plans for the house —some we have already started on while others, due to time and budget constraints, will have to wait until later. Of all the great information I received at the Expo there was one concept that really resonated. One that still does. It’s called the Theory of Anyway.

One of the speakers, Sharon Astyk, said she first learned it from Pat Meadows, a friend of hers. As I understand it the basic premise is that regardless of the size of an action’s impact or the outcome we should choose to do the right thing anyway. Just because. I don’t know about you, but I have been overwhelmed at times when faced with the enormity of our world’s problems. My small choices and steps seem so insignificant in comparison to the looming issues of a world in flux. Here’s where the Theory of Anyway fits in for me: I shouldn’t do X because it has any chance of single-handedly save the world; instead, I should do X just because it is the right thing to do.

I like how it changes the tone—according to the Theory of Anyway living simply, frugally, and carefully is not a political statement nor a moral judgment, it is just the right thing to do. Period. True, my actions may not make a big difference but they do make a difference. And think how much of a difference it would make in the world if everyone did all the small things that they could. As Helen Keller once said, “I can not do everything, but I can do something. I must not fail to do the something that I can do.”

Disclaimer: I am not even remotely suggesting that I always make the correct decision, but I am working on it.