Build with Clay #57: Nature
A bi-weekly newsletter sparking personal growth
Hi, reader!
We recently had a parent/teacher conference with our 4-year-old son’s teacher. Prior to leaving, we asked him if he had any questions he’d like us to ask his teacher.
He thought for a few moments.
Then he said, “Ask her if she has ever talked to a dinosaur.”
(we asked - she, disappointedly, had not)
With that, welcome to the 57th newsletter! This one is all about nature.
A watch.
Our Great National Parks
A Netflix documentary where former president Barack Obama does his best David Attenborough impression.
Some notable facts from the first few episodes:
A quarter of all our medicines came from the rain forest
Yellowstone was the first National Park (1872)
15% of the Earth’s land is protected
8% of the Earth’s oceans are protected
There are 1 million green sea turtle eggs laid each year on Raine Island (below)
A thought.
I’ve always thought I’m fairly conscious about protecting the Earth. I recycle! I don’t throw trash out my car window (who does this!?)! I drive an electric car!
I then heard someone say how when they walk their dog, they always try to pick up one piece of trash. I thought, that’s cool - they are making ripples.
I then noticed myself walking right by litter, all the time. Wow, Clay. I thought you protected the Earth? This went on for about a week. I would walk right past an empty bottle in the grass and think “ah, I should pick that up…but my momentum is already going forward…maybe next time.”.
A week later, I would walk by a piece of trash and orchestrate the same internal dialogue. Except this time, I would turn around and actually pick the trash up! Ok, I did that like once.
BUT. The following week I was picking up litter at a 20% clip. I even noticed a piece of trash in advance and picked it up in stride!
I know, what a guy.
Fast forward to now: the habit has been built. I (sadly) pick up one or two items of trash anytime I am walking somewhere.
Perhaps my kids will see me do it and they’ll ask about it. Or someone driving by in their car will be inspired. Or maybe you’ll read this and think, “yeah, I can do that!”. Just be prepared for your internal dialogue to try and convince you that you have more important things to do than to take care of Mother Nature.
A quote.
“We don’t inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.”
- Native American Proverb
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Looking for more? You can read the first 56 editions here.
Sometimes the intent of your newsletter can engage or provoke another thought. This one for me here, Clay, ignited a different thought when I first read it a month back: Nature = trees, forest bathing and a reminder to get outside often. It does not have to be a major excursion to appreciate nature around us. Well, I may be fortunate living in the gorgeous Pacific Nortwest!