Especially when writing this blog, but often when writing about environmental issues, I feel like a lone voice crying out in the wilderness. And resonating with that phrase is not by accident...vox clamantis in deserto is the motto of my beloved college on the Hill where I spent 4 years learning about the environment (and getting a serious eco-butt-kicking!)
Recently, the prolonged lack of technology in my life has led me to reconnect, to catch up on my reading, to "slow down to speed up". Over the weekend I finally read my backlog of alumni magazines from the past year (sorry Jess!). In the Class Notes, there's an absolute gem series from a man named Edward Gerson, Class of 1935, who just celebrated his 100th birthday (HBD Ed!) Most Class Notes focus on the happenings of others, but Edward has taken this platform as his way to share his views, his thoughts, his passions, his worries and his hopes for the future (longer text below the jump). He draws similarities from growing up in the 1920s and 1930s to now. He worries about the future of our democracy, the power of corruption and advocates for exercising your vote. He encourages alumni to get involved, be the change we want to see, so to speak. It got me thinking....
So often I hear that my passion for the planet, my "fight", is because I'm young. That somehow age will make me give up and care less about what we're all doing to the planet. I've noodled on it, but never landed an opinion until now. With help and many thanks to Edward Gerson! I don't think age will diminish my passion at all. I hope someday to be living like Ed..."I still study every day because it opens up new worlds to me, and what could be greater?" Passion is a state of mind, and there's no reason not to have spades of it for the long haul!
Keep on keeping on Ed...GO BIG GREEN! :)
Recently, the prolonged lack of technology in my life has led me to reconnect, to catch up on my reading, to "slow down to speed up". Over the weekend I finally read my backlog of alumni magazines from the past year (sorry Jess!). In the Class Notes, there's an absolute gem series from a man named Edward Gerson, Class of 1935, who just celebrated his 100th birthday (HBD Ed!) Most Class Notes focus on the happenings of others, but Edward has taken this platform as his way to share his views, his thoughts, his passions, his worries and his hopes for the future (longer text below the jump). He draws similarities from growing up in the 1920s and 1930s to now. He worries about the future of our democracy, the power of corruption and advocates for exercising your vote. He encourages alumni to get involved, be the change we want to see, so to speak. It got me thinking....
So often I hear that my passion for the planet, my "fight", is because I'm young. That somehow age will make me give up and care less about what we're all doing to the planet. I've noodled on it, but never landed an opinion until now. With help and many thanks to Edward Gerson! I don't think age will diminish my passion at all. I hope someday to be living like Ed..."I still study every day because it opens up new worlds to me, and what could be greater?" Passion is a state of mind, and there's no reason not to have spades of it for the long haul!
Keep on keeping on Ed...GO BIG GREEN! :)
Excerpts from a century of passion....words to live by indeed!
"You are hearing from the luckiest person on earth. I am able to live to be 100 years old, and am still living a life that just gets better and better. I don’t question why but just enjoy what I am offered."
"I believe that the main reason that I have so many good friends is that I always try to reach out and not just expect the world to come to me. I do not mean to be pretentious. I am just seeking answers. "
"Ask me what you have to do to reach that age? My answer is keep breathing in and out and be one of the luckiest people on the planet. "
"I still worry about what kind of a world we are leaving for the next generations. Our present culture does not help us to learn how to live together and we seem to be unwilling to learn how. We had many great leaders, philosophers and religious figures who have pointed the way. Robert Frost chose to “take the path less traveled.” I think there is a better way. Learn the way to go by really making the effort to learn how to make the right choices. I still study every day because it opens up new worlds to me, and what could be greater?"
"To the new generations who, in many cases, have given up on Dartmouth as it is, I say you should work hard on making your influence felt and be a part of making Dartmouth the college you want it to be. There is no magic. It is you who will make it happen. Make it a priority to join the nearest alumni club. "
"You are hearing from the luckiest person on earth. I am able to live to be 100 years old, and am still living a life that just gets better and better. I don’t question why but just enjoy what I am offered."
"I believe that the main reason that I have so many good friends is that I always try to reach out and not just expect the world to come to me. I do not mean to be pretentious. I am just seeking answers. "
"Ask me what you have to do to reach that age? My answer is keep breathing in and out and be one of the luckiest people on the planet. "
"I still worry about what kind of a world we are leaving for the next generations. Our present culture does not help us to learn how to live together and we seem to be unwilling to learn how. We had many great leaders, philosophers and religious figures who have pointed the way. Robert Frost chose to “take the path less traveled.” I think there is a better way. Learn the way to go by really making the effort to learn how to make the right choices. I still study every day because it opens up new worlds to me, and what could be greater?"
"To the new generations who, in many cases, have given up on Dartmouth as it is, I say you should work hard on making your influence felt and be a part of making Dartmouth the college you want it to be. There is no magic. It is you who will make it happen. Make it a priority to join the nearest alumni club. "
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