Journal #5 (Sambuhay): Your Presence proclaims the Grandeur of God’s Creation

1. Have you accomplished faithfully your duties and responsibilities as steward of God’s creation? How?

Qualities of a Faithful Steward Believe and understand that everything you have is not your own. Believe
and understand that everything you have belongs to God. In everything you do, and with every decision
you make, look first to how you can serve the Lord. Love God first, and love other people second.

2. Do you initiate a helping hand in the sustainable development of the environment? How?

Live simply, so you may simply live. As far as your circumstances allow, avoid using resources and
generating waste. Return to ways of meeting your needs that worked for past generations who had far less
technology, but without imposing hardship on yourself and your loved ones. For example, research has
shown that traditional agriculture, avoiding artificial fertilizers and pesticides but instead building up the
fertility of the soil, actually leads to more productivity than factory farming.

Join others to work for a sustainable society. There are various groups that organize petitions, protests and
practical action like divestment from harmful companies. They have been making an enormous impact.
Be part of the action for a survivable world.

Address the basic problem, which is a global culture of greed, aggression, selfishness, fear and hate of
those different from us. Instead, work for a global culture of cooperation, compassion, decency. This will
not only work for sustainability, but also toward a world worth surviving in.

3. How do you actively participate in the caring of our common home, mother earth?

Instead of using vehicles for travelling small distances you can always prefer walking. It is not only good
for your health but you saving a lot of fuel and its poisonous gas being released into the air. So, in this
way you are indirectly contributing to save the environment.

Reduce the usage of A/C if you are using it regularly. A/C is the major reason for the holes in the ozone
layers. This layer is responsible for protecting earth from harmful and powerful rays from sun. So, unless
its utter important to turn on the A/C in case of extreme weather reduce its usage. Again, you are helping
mother Earth. Go outside and take a deep breath of fresh air.

Talk with friends and colleagues about the environment protection. Here is a list of organizations who
talk about environment protection List of environmental organizations. Join any nearby NGO for
environment protection and interact with people about its importance. After all everyone needs OXYGEN
for their survival.

Participate in programs like "Vanamahotsava" with your friends. These programs are usually conducted
in school premises. Plant fast growing trees at the end of summer or at the start of rainy season. So that
you need not water them in rainy season which is about 2-3 months.