Education 

 > The 5 Rs

The 5 Rs

Solutions You Can Use

Teacher's Center

Join Circle of Life

Rethink

The "5Rs" are an exploration of the themes Respect, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. These Earth-loving actions allow us to reduce our impact on our Earth and add deeper meaning and joy to our lives. Send us yours - circle@circleoflife.org!

Respect
Rethink
Reduce
- Peet's Coffee Reduces Paper Cup Use
- To-Go Ware Poem by Stephanie Bernstein
Reuse
Recycle

Rethinking Over a Lifetime

—by Heather J. Nordstrom-Eakin

All that we have created in this world began with a thought. The action of "thinking" is what determines our reality. Understanding this, we know that we can create the world we desire, and that anything is possible.

What is "rethinking," and how do we begin? There are many levels. To start, I have found that it helps to practice rethinking personal goals. We may have been taught to think that we are incapable of doing any good to save the earth, so we will subconsciously believe that our efforts are a waste of time. As a result, for example, we might not recycle as consistently as we would like to.

With practice, soon we are able to rethink other aspects of our world. One of the hardest subjects for me is rethinking everything I consume. When I go shopping for food and clothing, I have to stop and rethink, and ask myself, where was this grown? Where was this made? How far did it travel to get to the store? Under what conditions did the laborers work? Will its disposal be environmentally friendly? Do I really need this? Even though it may take time and effort to research the answers, the most important thing is not to give up. The more I tried to find companies with ethical operating practices, the more I discovered what's out there for us to choose from. The most important thing I learned is that objects do not sustain our lives, but people do.

Respect, the first of the 5Rs, discussed how to respect each other and the Earth. If we are to be true to ourselves and our actions, we must come from a place of love in our actions. In this way, rethinking is the most empowering thing we can do. It creates the foundation for the most powerful actions we take to change the world.

ACTION...!

• Next time you go to the store or the mall, take a step back and examine the images that surround you. Rethink the things you want to buy: do you need them?
• Question "reality" as you know it. Expand your mind by reading books, or listening to speakers who oppose your point of view. Practice loving kindness even to those you think are your enemies.