Often the hardest part about making a long term change is taking the first few steps of the journey.  The scope of change needed globally to address environmental degradation is beyond the reach of any person, family or parish.  No single donation or action will provide relief to the suffering of the poor.  All of us must find ways to make some positive difference and over time, we should expect that change will come gradually. 

In the book Good to Great, author Jim Collins defined the Stockdale Paradox which is named after Admiral James Stockdale, who was the highest ranking officer held captive during the Vietnam War.  Collins summarized Stockdale’s secret to surviving as involving two attributes that are also essential for what we face with the current environmental challenges:

You must retain faith that you will prevail in the end, regardless of the difficulties.
AND at the same time…
You must confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.

We need to avoid clinging to blind optimism or giving up in despair but instead focus our time and energy on constructive actions in our parishes, school and families.  Every personal situation is different, so use the guidance provided here as a source of ideas for steps to getting started on the journey.