I’ve come to realize that – for the most part – we don’t know shit. In this edition of my newsletter, I share a few moments of my big-picture learning.
For years, I have been doing a deep dive into behavioural change and how we can adopt practices that will truly stick. What I have learned over the years has influenced how I teach low-waste, low-impact practices. As part of this, and also because I am curious as heck about how and why we do what we do, I recently started learning about astronomy and space.
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What we don’t know
Most of us know that Earth is a tiny dot attached to a star (our Sun), hurtling through space at incredible speed, right? As it turns out, like with everything else, this “tiny dot” story is only one part of the narrative. First, the size, we are tiny, yes, compared to our Sun – more than a million Earths could fit into the Sun. Next, our Sun is tiny when compared to the next, largest known star, Stephenson 2-18. That’s not all: next in size is the cluster, Phoenix A – a supermassive black hole, not a star – that contains a hundred billion equivalent Suns. A hundred billion! Finally, there’s our universe that contains billions of Phoenix and Stephenson clusters… and more. Here is a post by @Astrophilesz – their work has really helped people understand how incredibly tiny we are compared to the immeasurably immense universe!
That’s not all I learned, though!
A gentle, non-harming earthquake?
Did you know that Earth makes a tiny seismic rumble every 26 seconds? This is a gentle, constant, consistent pulsation that comes from deep within the planet, and it occurs every 26 seconds. Scientists made this discovery some 60 years ago and found that while the pulse is strong and loud, it doesn’t seem to be harmful in any way. The best analogy to describe this gentle rhythm that emanates from deep within the planet is a heartbeat. This is Earth’s heartbeat.
What does this mean?
I get asked this question all the time when I talk about science and the spirit. Is Earth alive? I am not sure – perhaps the answer depends on what alive really means. Did I lose you? Stay with me!
Here’s what we know
We are incredibly tiny and utterly insignificant in the larger scheme of things. We are but a tiny dot, a speck in endless space. I don’t have the words to describe how truly insignificant our little dot is…and I looked! So does this mean that what we do is small and insignificant, too? I’ll come back to that in a minute!
Here’s more of what we know
While we may be tiny and utterly insignificant in the larger scheme of things, somehow, what we do affects not just us – it impacts everything else too. First one thing and then another, and then a ripple forms. Perhaps more than a ripple, because not only does how we act affect how we feel and how we act next, it affects everything else and everyone else, too. More than a ripple.
Here’s an example: when we avoid plastic, we protect our soil and waters, and we also feel good. Here’s another: When we eat beans, we support biodiversity and fix nitrogen in the soil, and we also feel good. When we buy food from a small business or farmer, we feel good. And not only do we feel good, but we also start a ripple in the economy that echoes in the far reaches of the world. Perhaps more than a ripple.
Here’s what we know, friends
Our actions matter to no one else but us.
>Our baby steps, small shifts, and big systemic changes all matter to you and me, and everyone else, too.
>Our actions matter, and to us, they matter a great deal.
Even if we are the tiniest specks on a tiny dot in an immeasurably immense universe.
That’s all there is.
A personal story
I am going back on CHCH Morning Live on June 5th. The topic of the segment is “Step Aside Maxxing: what if REAL, WHOLE FOODS were the hottest new trend?” It is going to be an exciting conversation with one of my favourite journalists and inspiring Canadians, Annette Hamm. This will be my last segment with her; Annette is retiring after an incredible, almost 40-year career at CHCH. Here’s the story: my first-ever TV segment in July 2019 was alongside Annette; I remember I was a complete basket of nerves. Annette was generous and smooth and so curious; she is an incredible interviewer. The prep, setup, takedown, getting there and back, makeup and clothes were all exhilarating and exhausting. When I got home afterwards, I decided to put my “dressed for TV ” outfit to more use; I shot a couple of photos in front of my summer-time flowers. Here’s a snapshot from that day, it’s the only one my husband took with his camera! The first one in the collage.
This is the only photograph I have from that day because the day after, I got on a plane to India, and very quickly afterwards, while out shopping in Delhi with my Mom, I lost my phone. I was so disappointed that I had lost all footage from this important day, aI wasn’t sure when (if!) I would be recording a segment on TV again.
A few weeks later, after my return home to Toronto, I was invited back to record another segment with Annette. Since then, I have done dozens of shows with this absolutely inspiring woman 🙂
In 2019, with Annette Hamm on CHCH Morning Live – how to have a sustainable back-to-school season.Hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane. Catch Annette and me on June 5 at 820 am. I’ll post a reminder or two so you don’t miss out. The reruns will air on YouTube later in the day.
Meanwhile, baby steps, small changes and also enormous systemic upheaval. It’s all important. It all matters. To you and me, and everyone else too, on this little planet we call Earth. A tiny dot in the universe, our home that somehow, inexplicably, quite gently, pulsates every 26 seconds.