• About
  • Archive
  • Contact
The Greening of Gavin
  • Home
  • Our Green Shop
    • Little Green Workshops
  • Green Workshops
    • Cheese Making
    • Soap Making
    • Soy Candle Making
  • eBooks
    • Clay Oven eBook
    • Keep Calm and Make Cheese eBook
  • Podcast
    • TGOG Podcast
    • TGoG Podcast Archive
    • Little Green Cheese
  • Vlog
  • Cheese
  • Green Living
    • Chickens
    • Gardening
    • Soap Making
    • Recipes
    • Climate Change
    • Peak Oil
    • Solar Power
  • Resources

Feeling Inspired

October 28, 2009 @ 07:00 By Gavin Webber 3 Comments

Over the last few days, I have felt inspired whilst reading a book titled “Suzuki’s Green Guide – How to find fresher, tastier, healthier food. Create and Eco-Friendly Home. Make sustainable Transportation Choices. Reduce Consumption and be a Green Citizen” by David Suzuki and David R. Boyd with additional text for Australian edition by Michael Mobbs of www.sustainablehouse.com.au fame.

Reading it on the train each morning and evening travelling to and from work, it has lifted my spirits to a higher level and made me feel like the volunteer environmental work I do all that more worthwhile.  What I liked so much about the book is that it gives you the facts, gives you solutions and then has a real life inspiring story about each topic.  Well worth a read if you can get a copy of it from the local library. 

There is a little story near the back that moved me to tears this afternoon (on the train) and filled me with joy. It is all over the internet, and believe that it is a paraphrase of an essay called The Star Thrower by Loren Eiseley (which is quite depressing).  You have probably heard it before, and I read that U.S. President Obama recently used a version during on of his orations.  I prefer this version;

There’s a story about an old man who use to love walking near the ocean.  He’d walk along the beach every morning.  One day he saw a person moving like a dancer, bending, then wading into the waves with arms extended.  It pleased him that someone would dance to the beauty of the day and the rhythm of the waves.  As he got closer, he saw that it was a young girl.  The girl was not dancing, but was reaching down to the sand, picking something up, and carrying it carefully out into the ocean.
He called out, “Good morning! What are you doing?”
The little girl replied, “I’m returning starfish to the ocean.”
“Why?”
“The sun is up and the tide is going out.  If I don’t rescue them, they’ll be stranded on the beach and die.”
“But there are miles and miles of beach and starfish all along the way.  What difference could you possibly make?”
The little girl did not answer right away.  She bent down, picked up another starfish, and gently placed it back into the sea.  She watched a wave lift it high, and then, as it sank into the life-giving water, she turned to the man, smiled, and said, “I made a difference for that one.”
The old man nodded and reflected for a moment.  Then he bent down, picked up a starfish, and returned it back to the sea.

You see, I believe it works like this, and I am speaking from three years of experience.  Your personal environmental actions may seen like drops in the ocean, but everything you do has a ripple effect that magnifies you impact.  When people see and hear you speak with passion about making a difference, it makes a little difference to their own thoughts and behaviours.  Lead by example and be a green citizen and others will follow!

Remember these wise words;

Vision without Action is merely a dream, and
Action without Vision just passes the time, however,
Vision with Action can change the world!

Reflect upon those words, and you can make a difference today.

Will this article help someone you know? If so help them out by sharing now!

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: Philosophy

← Establishing the Pecking Order Wanted: A Container Deposit Scheme →

About Gavin Webber

Gavin Webber's daily goal is to live a more sustainable lifestyle, in an effort to reduce his family's environmental footprint so we can all make a difference for our children & future generations to come.

Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.

Comments

  1. nevyn says

    October 28, 2009 at 09:54

    What a coincedence, I only came across that story about the starfish in the last couple of weeks.

    I’ll have to check that book out, it’s sounds good.

    I just got Now or Never by Tim Flannery for my husband’s birthday. If he doesn’t start reading it soon, I will

    Reply
  2. Darren (Green Change) says

    October 28, 2009 at 13:05

    You’re absolutely spot on with this post, Gav!

    I heard a podcast a while ago where Frances Moore Lappe (Diet for a Small Planet) mentioned the whole “what difference does a drop in a bucket make?” attitude:

    “One of our messages has been a challenge to the view that we’re all just a drop in the bucket and therefore insignificant,” said Lappé. “We have to say, `Wait a minute, you know if you put a bucket out in the rain overnight, it fills up.’ So being a drop in the bucket isn’t our problem, the problem is we can’t see the bucket, we can’t see how our individual choices are adding up, that our little drops are changing the world.”

    I think that sums up why I much prefer to read about (and write about!) positive actions and outcomes, rather than the depressing negative stories about what we’re doing to this planet. It’s important to show people that there is a bucket, and we can fill it up by working together.

    Reply
  3. Mickle in NZ says

    October 28, 2009 at 20:16

    Many thanks for this. And great to read that your back will let you do the daily commute again.

    Hope the new chookies and existing chookies are settling down together okay – they all look so very huggable (surely it must help with the egg yield – give a chook a huggle!)

    Reply

Comments build lively communities. Let me know your thoughts, but keep it clean and green! Spam is removed instantly. Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search This Blog

Follow my work

About Gavin Webber

About Gavin Webber

An Ordinary Australian Man Who Has A Green Epiphany Whilst Watching A Documentary, Gets a Hybrid Car, Plants A Large Organic Vegetable Garden, Goes Totally Solar, Lowers Consumption, Feeds Composts Bins and Worms, Harvests Rainwater, Raises Chickens, Makes Cheese and Soap, and Eats Locally. All In The Effort To Reduce Our Family's Carbon Footprint So We Can Start Making A Difference For Our Children & Future Generations To Come.

Delve Into the Archives

Visit Our Online Simple Living Shop

Little Green Workshops

Latest Podcast Episode

Subscribe on iTunes

Top Posts & Pages

Strawbridge Family Inspiration
The Seven Stages Of Change
How To Remove Scaly Leg Mites
Growing Queensland Blue Pumpkins (Winter Squash)
Building a Wicking Bed on Concrete
Black Aphids On Garlic
Repeat After Me. I Will Never Plant Potatoes With Pumpkins Again
Planting Australian Purple Garlic
Broad Bean Rust
Selling Your Own Soap in Australia

Recent Awards

Recent Awards

Local Green Hero

Categories

Favourite Daily Reads

Debt Free, Cashed Up, and Laughing

The Off-Grid Solar House

Greener Me

The Rogue Ginger

Little Eco Footprints

Down To Earth

Surviving the Suburbs

Little Green Cheese

Eight Acres

The Witches Kitchen

TGOG Readers On-line

Podcast Reviews

  • Always inspiring and entertaining!
    August 4, 2016 by floriographer from Australia

    I've crowed about Gavin's podcast before but I just have to recommend it once again - I love that he shares his learning as well as his successes - it helps the rest of us try try try again! Thanks Gavin!

  • ms
    July 22, 2016 by Ketaea12 from New Zealand

    I really enjoy listening to Gavin, he has a kind lovely voice. He covers some great relevant topics for the everyday greenie. With lots of tips or how to or what not to do. Thanks Gavin, love it!!

  • Well worth your time to tune in
    October 23, 2015 by A Vision Splendid from Australia

    I can highly recommend Gavin’s podcast ! I have followed Gavin’s blog since the very beginning and have loved to see his journey unfold. Gavin has a lovely speaking voice so this podcast is always very easy to listen to. Gavin has a very authentic approach to his green living lifestyle. He shares the ups and downs but always provides motivation and practical steps that we can all implement.

  • very good
    June 28, 2015 by Scared pax from United Kingdom

    This is a great podcast if you want to improve your life in so many aspects and become a more sustainable person. I love the soothing voice, the good pace, and it contains lots of useful information. Recommended!

  • opened my eyes
    May 25, 2015 by Gorn4lyfe from Australia

    A wonderful show!

  • Inspiring
    April 30, 2015 by Alan Whelan from Ireland

    This is a great podcast if you're looking for practical info on saving money by living more sustainably from someone who's made that journey over the last few years. Told in a nice, easy conversational style

  • Green Living, inspiring and practical
    January 8, 2015 by EliseMac from Australia

    Thanks Gav for sharing what has (and hasn't) worked along your journey for living a greener lifestyle. Inspiring and achievable for anyone, I look forward to this podcast weekly.

  • Local food equals less waste
    December 27, 2014 by allotmentadventureswithjean from Australia

    Another brilliant podcast from Gavin Webber encouraging us, and showing us how, to cut down on food miles, growing our own food, and cutting down on food waste. Gavin is a really interesting speaker, showing us how to eat better, growing our own food and how to live more sustainably.

  • Honestly australian
    December 15, 2014 by HodgepodgeOz from Australia

    Fantastic podcast, with a wide variety of well thought and researched topics. Gavin is a honest, forthright pod aster with a genuine interest in helping others get green. Like a day alongside is a day wasted, so too is a week without listening to Gavin. Highly recommended for people starting out, or those in the midst of their new lifestyle. Keep it up Gavin, wish there were more great reviews! Kimberley

  • Morning motivation
    December 8, 2014 by Bunnyworm from Australia

    Gavin has a great passion for living this greener lifestyle that motivates others to do the same. The podcasts are always interesting and informative. :)

  • Passionate Advocate
    October 18, 2014 by BoomOpGirl from Australia

    Gavin's enthusiasm and passion for creating a more sustainable world is nothing short of contagious. Thanks Gav, you are my weekly source of motivation for living a sustainable life! :)

  • Gavin speaks from the heart
    October 13, 2014 by Green gavin from Australia

    Gavin's podcasts are required listening for anyone planning to live a more sustainable life. He doesn't preach, but tells you his story from the heart. You'll laugh, smile, share in his concerns and along the way you'll pick up some great tips on living a simple life.

  • Green thoughts, so well iterated
    October 9, 2014 by Kwasikwami from Australia

    This is a wonderful podcast. Not only does Gavin talk knowledgeably on a range of sustainability topics from gardening tips all the way to the issues facing humanity as a whole, but he does so in such a wonderful voice, it's like listening to my Dad, love it!!

  • Easy listening inspiration on being green
    September 24, 2014 by Broomedy from Australia

    Gav knows how to share his journey to a more sustainable life in a manner that shows just how easy it really is. Not to mention healthier, economically beneficial and generally rewarding. The podcasts are an easy way to absorb Gav's great lifestyle. I recommend to anyone.

  • Thanks Gavin!
    August 31, 2014 by Honeywoodmilk from Australia

    Great practical advice for a greener lifestyle. This podcast is for anybody interested in growing their own food in suburbia, saving electricity, brewing beer, making cheese, all that wonderful business and most of all, saving money! Thanks Gavin, love the podcast mate!

  • Enjoyed those ideas for staying warm
    August 15, 2014 by enduringdragon from United States

    Like you we are having winter here in Chile—brrr! Every bit we can save on heating we will.

  • Green Podcasts
    July 26, 2014 by Carneu from Australia

    Excellent podcasts, which are full of information to help get started on a sustainable lifestyle.

  • Practical ideas and inspiration
    July 19, 2014 by HeathrowHeath from Australia

    I highly recommend Gavin's podcast and blog. Down to earth, entertaining and inspirational. Thank you.

  • Interesting & easy to listen to
    April 27, 2014 by Velocity3 from New Zealand

    Gavin & his guests make this green journey lots of fun.

  • Great green listen
    April 18, 2014 by Obscurenickname from Australia

    Gavin is a great down to earth, tell it like it is aussie with a passion for sustainability and growing food and making cheese

Carbon Offset website

Copyright - Gavin Webber © 2023