When I was invited to write a reflection about ecological conversion, Sister Ida Robertine Berresheim immediately came to mind. I distinctly remember a talk she gave in Los Angeles decades ago, where she opened my eyes to the reality that there is no “away” to which we throw things. We often say, “I am going to throw this away.” We live in a disposable society in which I have grown accustomed to throwing things “away.”
Ida helped me to reflect and to deepen my understanding that there is no “away.” The trash I dispose of does not disappear. It goes “somewhere.”
This awareness has invited me to live in a more conscious way. Yes, it is good and extremely important to recycle and to reuse, but the recycled items still do not “vanish.” I began to be more conscious of trying to buy less in the first place. Do I really need more “stuff”?
Relationships play an important role in my ongoing process of ecological conversion. We learn from each other. The ways in which I experience another person caring for the environment help me in my own process of growing and changing. Sometimes I resist this change initially, but with time and further reflection, I can often begin to appreciate the efforts that another person is making, and I can try to practice a different way of doing things.
Many of the ecological care “practices” take a little extra thought, time and effort. For example, thanks to one of my local community members, I am now conscious to carry a container to the restaurant if I am going out to eat. Rather than have the extra food put in a “to go” container, I put the food in a container that I have brought from home. There is no “away” in which we can put more “to go” containers.
When something breaks in our house or appears in poor condition, I am quick to say that we need to get rid of it, we need to throw it “away.” Other sisters in my local community help me to see how we may be able to “repurpose” the item. A broken sugar bowl can become a decorative pot for a plant. Plastic bottles can be used for hanging plants.
We learn from each other. Thank you, Ida; your words, “there is no AWAY”, took hold in my heart and in the living of my life.
Being in a new culture opens us to new ways of doing many things. If we imagine ourselves in a new “culture” of environmental care, we can pray for the openness to learn from one another new ways of being in relationship with all of creation.
As you reflect on Sister Anne’s essay, let it inspire you to take action.
- How has another person helped you to see new ways of caring for the environment?
- What are some instances where you should question your assumption that you can simply throw something “away”?
- Is there something in your bin right now that you could repurpose instead?
- Push yourself to find someone you might inspire to observe a new “culture” of environmental care.
Thanks, Anne,
I appreciate you naming the resistance we sometimes feel to changing behavior.
I am grateful for the work and dedication that went into our monthly eco-challenge and five-year long commitment to the Laudato Si Action Plan. Thank you to all those who created this ecological focus and for all who took action with it.
in response to this essay, thank you Ann for your reflection and reminders.
there is a book called Waste Wars excellent read about where does all this go. How can we reduce.?
blessings on this mother earth being raped by our trash.
Nancy
Thank you for this beautiful and poignant reminder that this earth is all we have. There is no away…
Thank you, Anne, for your thoughtfully written reflection and reminder to care for the earth and think of what we are doing.
I am also very grateful for monthly reminder in Eco-challenges and the material added for learning more (videos, etc.). Thank you, Patty, and all who contributed.
Thank you for writing thisa, Anne, and for calling Ida to our minds and hearts. I have found at age 85 that a new R–Refrain–has beccome my mantra. I have simply stopped buying anything except food. Even greeting cards can be repurposed. It’s the words that matter.