Fragments from Floyd: 'Walking the Talk in the New Year'
Like you, I vacillate between the urge to scream and flail and rant and the urge to assume fetal position and be passively overtaken by the tsunami of unreason, injustice, indifference, and arrogant triumphalism that confronts us with each days' news.
By Fred First
And so, like many of you, I struggle to find balance, courage, and focus for the coming year. And I see work (a few items listed below) that is worthy of my time – a commodity in somewhat short and uncertain supply approaching three score and ten this year.
Like you, I vacillate between the urge to scream and flail and rant and the urge to assume fetal position and be passively overtaken by the tsunami of unreason, injustice, indifference, and arrogant triumphalism that confronts us with each days' news. But doing nothing is a ticket to becoming a victim of our own slack-jawed, inert acquiescence to actions and tweets and attitudes and values that we abhor.
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That said, what can one person do – in particular, what can I do – in 2018 that might make a difference and give voice to what I believe to be the good, the honorable, the just and the true walk with what keystrokes, minutes, and synapses I have remaining?
1. I can find balance between time reading about and understanding the issues (my main focus is biological and ethical) and making time to gather those resources together in a new way that might change hearts and minds. I will strive to create a deeper and more accurate understanding of the issues and their consequences in the next decade. One generation plants the trees, another enjoys their shade.
2. I will support the SustainFloyd Personal Climate Pledge in whatever direction it goes in the coming year. I encourage you to read online or download the packet of information – including the printable pledge – that begins to turn our individual life choices regarding energy, food, and consumption-in-general away from the precipice of environmental overshoot.
3. Through writing I can hold up the contrasts between the policies and missions and values of Mr. Griffin versus Mr. Flaccavento for voters to gain an understanding of the consequences of the two plans and divergent philosophical foundations for the future. Again, my focus will be chiefly on what these two leaders would do to ensure a healthy future for our soil, water, forests, wildlife, and agricultural systems; and to follow the money and the moral choices behind the money trails.
4. And (this should really be #1 but it wont happen if I give full service to #1-4) I can regain the discipline and devote the many hours to do the writing towards my personal projects, and then with a new book in my hands (and readers' hands of course) speak to a wide diversity of audiences, with media including my photography, on the matters in the book that I believe matter most.
What does your can-do list look like? Have you written it down and pinned it to your refrigerator yet? Why not do that today?
Fred First is a published writer and former Floyd County resident who documented local happenings and musings on "Fragments from Floyd." He holds masters degrees in Vertebrate Zoology and physical therapy, and has been a biology teacher and physical therapist by profession. *"On Walking the Talk" was originally published on Jan. 2, 2018.
This article has been updated from a previous version.